What’s Next or What’s Now?

A new read of mine is Perry Noble’s blog. He’s the lead pastor at a church called New Life in Carolina. HUGE mega church but he’s always an entertaining read. This morning he was a slap upside the head – doh! kinda read.

Here’s the line from his morning post that banged me up pretty good:

I personally believe that if church leaders are going to LEAD their churches to accomplish their full potential we are going to have to stop begging God for more opportunities and actually begin to maximize the ones He has already placed in front of us. Why would He trust us with what’s “next” if He can’t trust us with what’s now?

He’s right. And those words were crucial for me to hear…this morning…today. He won’t trust us with what is next if He can’t trust us with what is NOW.

I know Perry was talking about church leadership…and it’s easy to see the application. Focus on the basics, the ‘big rocks.’ Do what you CAN do now the best that you can. Don’t get distracted with other ‘good’ things if you can’t do the main thing well. I think every ministry team can use that in their area.

But what really got to me this morning was how it applies in our families. I’m prepping the next sermon in the Ephesians series and it’s the children/parents, slaves/owner passage. Train up your child in the LORD, NOW. Not next or when you have time or when it gets easier (it doesn’t) or when they are older. Focus on the NOW.

Let God take care of the NEXT.