The Next Right Thing

My husband’s work rents out a theater before Christmas each year for their employees and their families, so we took our kids to the free company movie.  In the movie, there was a seer character who was uncertain about what the future held, so he advised the characters to do the “next right thing.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about this.  So often, we’re not sure of what we’re doing, what the future holds; or we know what outcome we want, but we don’t know *yet* how to get there.  When uncertainty abounds, we can focus our lens on our next steps and do the “next right thing.”

I am reminded of a story from President Boyd K. Packer.  He had been counseled as to a direction he should go, but saw no way to move in that direction.  Elder Harold B. Lee had told him, “The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” To which President Packer replied that he would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson, “You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.”

I can’t help but think of the scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Jones has to take a “Leap of Faith” and walk over a chasm.  It isn’t until he steps off the cliff that he sees a perfectly camouflaged bridge under him.

All too often, I want to “see the end from the beginning.”  I want to know what the outline of steps are that I need to complete.  I need to remember that I can “step a few steps into the darkness” by doing “the next right thing” and that Heavenly Father will continue to guide me on my journey.

I had an A-HA moment with a coaching client last week.  She was telling me about a project she was working on and that the inspiration had come from God.  Remembering that it is God’s work that she is doing helps her to remember who is at the helm, even though she might not yet see the way across the chasm.  She is walking a few steps into the darkness with faith and trust in God.

Likewise, as I remember that it is God’s work that I am doing, I might not know the path he is preparing for me, but I can trust that he is preparing that path and I can just move forward and do “the next right thing.”

If you’d like help finding your “next right thing,” sign up for a complimentary coaching session at https://calendly.com/wandahusted.