I’ve had times in my life when I wasn’t sure what to do.
My super-smart wife has a great philosophy for such moments: Do the next right thing.
In times of uncertainty, rather than fussing about long-term plans, Becky suggests simply doing the next right thing… and then the one after that. It’s a summary of Theodore Roosevelt’s wisdom in yesterday’s quote:
In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.
I’ve offered Becky’s guidance to myself and others multiple times, so I know the most common response.
“How do I know the right thing?”
First, speaking from experience, I suspect we mostly know the right thing, we just hesitate to do it. Because it’s difficult, or risky, or unpopular. It’s easier to equivocate and pretend we aren’t sure.
And, if we truly are confused, James assures us we can ask for help.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I suspect you and I could likely identify any number of “next right things” we could do right now, and all sorts of reasons we aren’t doing them. For me, at least, there’s a constant conversation with Jesus about how much I’m simply resting in my privilege as I choose to do the worst possible thing – nothing.
I’m mostly held accountable by 22 kids who don’t have the luxury of doing nothing. Along with the folks who care for them, they scramble each day for safety and survival. In our commitment to support them, I need to keep asking myself, “What’s the next right thing?”
And then find the courage to do it.
Doing the next right thing has been helpful for me at times as well. It can get me moving when uncertainty and decision paralysis is overwhelming me. When I start to think, “What if I’m wrong about the next right thing?,” I remind myself of Who is really in control and that He can use anything I do for His purposes which are always good.