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Do the Next Thing {A Reminder from Elisabeth Elliot}

by Marci Ferrell
Biblical Womanhood Christian Living Podcast

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"Do the Next Thing" has been a favorite saying of mine from Elisabeth Elliot and I thought we could use a little encouragement from her words today. @thankfulhomemaker
"Do the Next Thing" has been a favorite saying of mine from Elisabeth Elliot and I thought we could use a little encouragement from her words today. #elisabethelliot #dothenextthing #christianity @mferrell

Inside: Do the Next Thing has been a favorite saying of mine from Elisabeth Elliot, and I thought we could use a little encouragement from her words today.  

"Do the Next Thing" has been a favorite saying of mine from Elisabeth Elliot and I thought we could use a little encouragement from her words today.  @mferrell

 My heart can get too easily overwhelmed when my task list begins to look longer than the hours in my day. I’m sharing a favorite saying I remind myself that I first heard from Elisabeth Elliot, “Do the Next Thing.” The poem where Mrs. Elliot first heard those words was written by Mr. George A. Paull (scroll a bit from the beginning of the book linked), and it was from a book written by Eleanor Amerman Sutphen titled, Ye Nexte Thynge.

You can read part of the episode below (5 minutes) or listen in the to podcast (17 minutes)

Listen to the Podcast Below or Subscribe on Your Favorite App:

 
 

Related Links:

Learning from Elisabeth Elliot: A List of Resources

Do the Next Thing Radio Transcript from Gateway to Joy

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot 

This has been a favorite saying of mine from Elisabeth Elliot, and I thought we could use a little encouragement from her words today.  The saying comes from an old Saxon legend as she shares below:

Have you had the experience of feeling as if you’ve got far too many burdens to bear, far too many people to take care of, far too many things on your list to do? You just can’t possibly do it, and you get in a panic and you just want to sit down and collapse in a pile and feel sorry for yourself.

Well, I’ve felt that way a good many times in my life, and I go back over and over again to an old Saxon legend, which I’m told is carved in an old English parson somewhere by the sea. I don’t know where this is. But this is a poem which was written about that legend. The legend is “Do the next thing.” And it’s spelled in what I suppose is Saxon spelling. “D-O-E” for “do,” “the,” and then next, “N-E-X-T.” “Thing”-“T-H-Y-N-G-E.”

~Elisabeth Elliot

Do The Next Thing

“At an old English parsonage down by the sea,

there came in the twilight a message to me.

Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven

that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.

And all through the hours the quiet words ring,

like a low inspiration, ‘Do the next thing.’

Many a questioning, many a fear,

many a doubt hath its quieting here.

Moment by moment, let down from heaven,

time, opportunity, guidance are given.

Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,

trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,

do it reliantly, casting all care.

Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,

who placed it before thee with earnest command.

Stayed on omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,

leave all resultings, do the next thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,

working or suffering be thy demeanor,

in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,

the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.

Do the next thing.”

~ Mrs. George A. Paull

My prayer for you today is that in the midst of overwhelming piles and to-do items that you will trust in the One who knows all things and with a faithful heart just “Do the Next Thing”.

Related Resources:

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

Learning from Elisabeth Elliot: A List of Resources

The Essence of Feminity

Are We Too Busy?

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Related posts:

  1. EP 82: Encouraging Your Husband {Elisabeth Elliot’s 80/20 Rule}
  2. Learning from Elisabeth Elliot: A List of Resources
  3. Journaling Tips from Elisabeth Elliot
  4. EP 81: Elisabeth Elliot on Hints for a Quiet Time


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« EP 79: Homemaking Matters: A Good God Working Out His Purposes in the Midst of Our Ordinary Days
EP 81: Elisabeth Elliot on Hints for a Quiet Time »

Comments

  1. Eugenia McQueen says

    at

    Elisabeth Elliot has been my mentor / spiritual heroine for years. I was blessed once to have her and Lars in my home for a few hours. I have ALL of her books and a document of specific quotes that have taught and blessed me with truth! I so love hearing that she is your heroine, as well.
    I hope you are aware that Gateway to Joy can be heard every day on BBN.org, Bible Broadcasting Network.
    Your podcasts are blessings to me. Thank you!

  2. Betty Russell says

    at

    I have recently subscribed to your blog, I am so happy I found you. Elizabeth Elliot is one of my favorite Christian writers & leaders. She has been gone awhile I know but I still remember the broadcasts I heard every morning. She was so full of grace and God’s wisdom. I look forward to your e-mails. This is a lonely time for many who are isolated due to the virus and we need your encouragement in these trying times. God is alive & his ears are a tuned to our cry (Psalms 34:15) & we must remember that each day. Betty

  3. Marla says

    at

    I’ve heard her teach this and needed the reminder this morning especially! Thank you!

  4. Linda Sears says

    at

    Do the next thing – sometimes that’s all I can do, and that is enough. I had to pop over from The Better Mom when I saw your title — I included this phrase in my own post today!
    Thank you for sharing the full poem here. I enjoyed it very much.

  5. Anonymous says

    at

    I love the pretty journal full of lists?! What wisdom is here! My husband was just encouraging me with this same kind of ‘can do’ attitude because I’ve bit a bit overwhelmed lately! Thank you! CC in VA

  6. Amy says

    at

    Your title drew me in because she is one of my favorite people on Earth. Thank you for sharing!
    Found you over at Raising Mighty Arrows!
    Amy

  7. Meghan Carver says

    at

    I’ve never heard that story before. Life is overwhelming at times, and I appreciate the encouragement this morning!

  8. Modern Day Disciple says

    at

    One of my favorite all time quotes by a favorite Christian Writers! She said this at a speaking engagement I was blessed to be at in 1998 and I wrote down every word, still have the notes!

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Whether you're running errands, doing household ch Whether you're running errands, doing household chores, or sipping your coffee, you can do it in style, reminding yourself and others you are a Thankful Homemaker 🥰⁣
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Shop TH Gear at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
What do you think of when you hear the word discer What do you think of when you hear the word discernment? The dictionary defines it as making a distinction between good and evil and truth and falsehood. As believers, we all desire to be discerning and wise in our choices. As we mature and grow in our knowledge of the scriptures, the hope is we will use that information to make choices in line with God's will.⁣
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We become discerning people by not just knowing what to think but how to think. Being spiritually discerning is an ability to see the world the way God does. This comes about as we grow and mature spiritually into the likeness of Christ. It is about seeing “All That's Good.”⁣
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“Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench i “Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench into our coping mechanisms. It brings us to the end of what we can control and forces us to cry out to God. God doesn’t waste our waiting. He uses it to conform us to the image of his Son.”⁣
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As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding mysel As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding myself in a waiting room on the Lord, and it’s been a long one, and I don’t see an end near.  It has reminded me that when I gave myself to Him, I gave up my “right” to be in charge. The reality is we never were in charge anyway; we just came to that understanding when the Lord opened our eyes to His sovereign control over our lives.⁣
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Even though it is a truth I know or we know, how many times do we want to think that somehow we can effect change in our life situations?⁣
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Waiting is hard because there is no guarantee that my waiting will end in this lifetime. One thing I have learned – my waiting has deepened my trust in the Lord and has helped me to develop patience, perseverance, and endurance.⁣
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It’s also given me different eyes to see with compassion others who are in a season of waiting.⁣
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Six questions I have written in my Bible that have Six questions I have written in my Bible that have been a help to me over the years may be a help to you, too, to be prayerful and slow to speak. These are helpful questions not just in our friendships but in our marriages and with our children, and truly any of our relationships:⁣
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1. Is this the time to say this?⁣
2. Am I the person to say this?⁣
3. Is it necessary?⁣
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We all know that fostering true biblical friendshi We all know that fostering true biblical friendship isn’t easy – it takes work. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we’re going to have trouble in this world, and trouble does touch all our lives in various areas, but this includes our friendships too.⁣
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I want to walk us through some of these threats, and this list I’m working with isn’t exhaustive – there are many more threats than what I am addressing today – but these are areas that stood out to me that have been a battle within some of my friendships over the years. Sadly, it is often the sin I’m battling in my heart, and I need to get my thinking, attitudes, and actions lined up with God’s Word.⁣
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May we be women who are willing to return to the a May we be women who are willing to return to the authority of God’s Word, embrace God’s priorities for our lives and homes, and live out the beauty and wonder of womanhood as God created it to be.⁣
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