What’s Next?

Today is the first Monday of April and takes on a different meaning for some of us:

• The start of Q2 for the business world

• The march toward summer for schools

• The Spring semester winding down for colleges

• Plans between Easter and Summer for churches

Regardless of your current situation, what’s next? It seems like we often operate in a calendar mindset. If you set goals for the year (or the dirty “r” world, resolutions), it’s time to check-in and either re-engage and get back on track, or check-out.

Sadly, checking-out is becoming the norm and is way too often the choice. But I’m asking you to stick it out, be persistent and find your grit. Persevere or even start over, but find a way through your challenges and move forward with renewed determination.

Without naming names, I know of individuals on this reader list who are currently on the struggle bus and have hard decisions to make, such as:

• The fear of finding the right first job out of college

• The search for the next job that’s a better fit for family

• A recent move and changes that are tough on children

• Nearing retirement and in search of new meaning

• Tough decisions with aging parents

And quite sincerely, we often want to know what is going to happen next and exactly how is it going to work out? Well, you cannot know for sure, but you can find faith, make the best decision and trust. But you know what? Even if things don’t work out for the best, it will be OK. This too shall pass, and life will go on.

Those are not easy phrases to comprehend in the heat of the stress, but they are true. God does not promise an easy path, even though it is what we want. In fact, it’s what we pray for. But it is in our toughest times, when we have nowhere else to turn, that we turn to Him. And He hears. These words are from King David in Psalm 13:

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

And day after day have sorry in my heart?

Look on me and answer, Lord my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death

But I trust in your unfailing love;

My heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the Lord’s praise,

For He has been good to me.

Whatever is next, partner with God through prayer and press on through in faith. For “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Cor 10:13).

“What’s Next?” is also the title of my first book, which is coming soon and I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks. Until then, let’s find a way to make good things happen in Q2.