When You Don’t Know What To Do

…don’t do anything!

That’s difficult, I’ll admit. We’re trained at an early age to respond – even react – to thwart unknown or uncomfortable situations.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” -Joseph P. Kennedy

“God helps those who help themselves.”  -Ben Franklin

“Don’t just stand there! Do something!” -Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby (1938)

 

My response to that??

“I’m not gonna co-sign your bull-crap!” -Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser, Season 8)

 

Part of the messiness of life and ministry comes from trying to take the reins, steer the ship, change the tide…when we have absolutely no idea which direction God is moving.  And I just envision Him standing there, shaking His head and saying…

“Don’t just do something, stand there!”  -Peter Ustinov

 

Sometimes we don’t hear clearly from God because we’re too busy instituting and working on our own plans.  Stillness can be your greatest ally in discerning God’s next steps for you.  Psalm 46:10

Take some time – demand it, if you have to – before you take the next step.  Your heart should be sure and stayed on God when things are unclear or ambiguous.  God is neither of those things.  So when that’s what your hearing or sensing, God hasn’t revealed the next right step for you.  Taking one anyway could be the wrong one.

The past weeks I have learned anew what it means to wait for a word from God – and trust that I may only get one letter of that word at a time.  And though I don’t see the entire path, I am growing more content each day in just waiting for the next right word so I can take the next right step.

 

Here’s another quote:

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.     Isaiah 40.31

 

Be blessed and strengthened as you wait!