So Now What?

When you get the gift, reach a goal, or find yourself in a new situation, the question “So now what?” usually shows up. It sure does for me.

Christmas is over and the New Year is right in front of us, so what’s NEXT?

Perspective

Every year, right after Christmas and right before the calendar flips, a lot of us get reflective. We think about our NEXT.

I usually capitalize that word because walking with God has shown me this simple truth. There is always a NEXT. Always. And it’s rarely small.

Think about it. On that first Christmas morning, when God brought His Son into the world, two ordinary people suddenly had the responsibility of raising the Savior of the world. I doubt either of them had any clue what “post-birth” was going to look like.

Joseph got his NEXT when the angel told him Mary would give birth to a child who wasn’t his. But that child was from God, and Joseph had to step into a role he never asked for. Protector. Steady hand. Earthly father to the Messiah.

Mary got her NEXT when she heard the news no teenage girl would ever expect. And after the shock, the fear, the unknown, she stepped into it. She became the mother God knew she could be. Her NEXT led her from the joy of His birth, to the horror of His death, to the awe of seeing Him as her Savior.

Talk about two incredible NEXTs.

And here we are. Older, wiser, beat up a little, blessed a lot. We’ve faced our own NEXTs. Some good, some brutal. And we still get another one. Another season. Another opportunity. Another chance to hand God more of our life.

So what do we do with that?

When you read Scripture and sit with the story of Mary and Joseph, something becomes very clear. We’re called to faith and trust. Simple words. Hard practice. But we’re not walking blind like they were. We know the whole story of that child in the manger. We know what He became and what He accomplished.

So as you step into this new year, here’s my one suggestion. Seek Him. Give Him more of what you hold back. Let your NEXT be a deeper walk with God. A more honest relationship. A willingness to hand Him the obstacles, the guilt, the fear, the sin, the pride, the distractions. All of it.

Let that be your NEXT. It’s definitely mine.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You bring light into the dark places. You did that when You brought Your Son into the world and showed us the way home. You never promised an easy life but You do make this life easier because You walk with us. Help us give You the things that hold us back. Lead us deeper. Make our NEXT stronger, rooted in You, centered on You, shaped by You. Thank You for Your mercy, Your patience, and Your presence. I pray this in the name of Jesus my Savior and my Lord. Amen.