I’m watching the sunset, the rays of light are piercing through the distant trees. My mind is racing, chasing shadows of days long past. Memories of joy, of peace, of hope, and of the faith that breaks through the darkness of  pain, grief, uncertainty, calamity, and sorrow. I’ve known pain. I’ve known grief. I’ve known uncertainty. I’ve known calamity.  I’ve known sorrow. I’ve seen more in one lifetime than many would dare to dream. But it’s the memories of joy that speed my readiness for what’s next. It’s the object, dare I say, the person of my faith that hastens my desire to step forward. I’ve died to this life so I live in and for another existence… inside the hope of eternity. This truth spurs me to believe, to know, to expect a vibrant and new reality. When will tomorrow arrive? When will the alarm sound to wake up? I can sleep no more. I am quietly stirring, daring to walk on water (again). I am blissfully restless, knowing that my flight is soon approaching. I will fly among the birds of heaven, I will run with the cheetahs across the Savanna, I will ride with horses across the plains. I am the Lords, He is my hope and my future is in His rear view mirror. I am confident in Him. I am secure in Him. I am a loud clanging symbol in His orchestra. I will sing in His choir, I will shout from His hills, I will be all that He wants me to be… Tomorrow! Yes, tomorrow! The day is long spent. I can do no more today. So, I will rest… I will meditate… I will reflect on Jesus, and on His goodness. I will bathe in His beauty and holiness. I will drown in His blessings and embrace. Today will fade away, but not from history… no, but into history. I just pray that today, I told HIS STORY about me well. Now, what’s next? What will find me tomorrow? What will be asked of me? What will the God of Heaven ask me to steward? To steward well? To care about? To love? I do not know, but rest assured, by His grace, I will humbly ask for the courage to step forward. Who will come with me? Who will believe with me? Who will love, genuinely love, with all your being those God brings to you? Come… taste and see that the Lord is good. His tender mercies are new EVERY morning. His power surpasses all that will ever confront you. Trust the Lord! Don’t lean on your own understanding, or your own courage, or strength, or wisdom. Lean wholeheartedly into Him and run forward!!! Run my dear family, my dear friends, anyone who might read this one day… the race is before you, not behind you. The prize awaits you, the reward before you. Don’t quit, don’t grow weary… you are almost home! I am here for you. I am at your disposal. I belong to the Lord, so I belong to you. 

What’s Next? I don’t know, but I’m ready… I’m willing… I’m hungry to eat the food the Lord has prepared for me. I yearn for the freshness of a new day, a new adventure, a new beginning. And to think, it’s only one day, one moment, one breath, that I can cling to at a time… so, whatever comes next, it’s not overwhelming… it’s not too big… it’s not too scary… it’s not too expensive… it’s not more than my God can handle, so I will wait on Him to show me, to guide me, to instruct me, to help me, to enable me, to cause me to move forward. Oh God, You have always been my help and strong tower. You have always been my shield and sword. You have always been my salvation… I wait on You! 

What’s Next? I don’t know… but Lord, You do, so I will just walk with You.