Next right thing
“Sometimes participating in God’s mission may not turn out the way we expect, or we may be called to change course mid-journey. We cannot fully know the mind of God in the accomplishment of God’s will. But that’s okay. All you need to ask God in prayer is, ‘What’s the next right thing?’ And then do that one thing.”—Br. Jim Woodrum Society of Saint John the Evangelist
I never know if I am doing God’s well. I get a feeling, a nudge. Something wells up within me. I never know if it is my ego or God within me. One test is “does it bring harm to someone?” If it does, I know this is not from God. “Does it bring joy or love to others?” I recognize that as a clue that this may be the path. Otherwise, I am stumbling in the dark. Praying helps. Talking to other spiritual friends helps. I still am not certain. I envy those who say, “God told me to do this.” That has never happened to me, or if it has, I wasn’t aware of it.
Brother Woodrum is telling us to do “the next right thing.” This is also the advice of recovery groups to do “the next right thing.” Again, I think the right thing is to do no harm, bring love, bring joy. The next right thing has much to do with other people, not ourselves. However, the “next right thing” should also not cause harm to our own mind, heart, or soul. We try to look at situations rationally. Then we look at the problem with the feeling or relationship part of ourselves. It seems like intuition plays a role as well. In the end, it is still a mystery.
One last helpful hint. When it is all over, we sometimes realize it was the right thing. Only afterward.
Joanna joannaseibert.com
