What’s Next is What’s Now

As a leader, I am almost constantly living in the “what’s next” of life.

Future events. Calendar appointments. Forecasts and projections. The excitement of opportunity—and the fear of failure. The uncertainty of how we’ll get from point A to point B. The bigger question of what point B even is… and whether any of that is fully up to us.

“What’s next” seems to live in my head quite a bit.

Yours?

This week I’ve found myself in prayer more often than usual. I’ve noticed that in seasons of deeper prayer, the small, still voice that is always present can get a little louder. We’re in better communication with the Father. We become more aware of the grand design taking shape all around us.

In one of those moments, I asked,
“God, what do You want me to do next?”

The answer was simple. And it came back to me as a question:

“What’s now?”

Isn’t that just like Jesus?

He always brings us back to the present moment.
The opportunity at hand.
The person in front of us to serve.
The people in our lives today.
The health we have right now.
The meal we’re about to eat.

The here.
The now.

Jesus teaches this over and over.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” — Luke 12:25–26

Worry is the thief of present joy.

Worrying about tomorrow has never added a single hour to today. It hasn’t built a business, healed a relationship, strengthened a family, or honored God. It only steals attention from the moment we’ve been entrusted with.

And then there’s the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16–20. A man blessed with abundance decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones so he can relax and “take life easy.” But that very night, his life is demanded of him.

Jesus’ point is clear:
It’s not wrong to be blessed.
It’s wrong to forget why you’re blessed.

Storing up to avoid temporary worry misses the greater calling. Blessings are opportunities to share the love of God. Time, talent, treasure—they are not merely for security. They are invitations into partnership with Him.

And then we come to the Lord’s Prayer:

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

This day.

Not next quarter.
Not next year.
Not when everything is figured out.

Today.

God provides physical bread and spiritual bread daily. When it’s given, we receive it with gratitude—and we use it to bring about His Kingdom in the ways He shows us right now.

Here’s the truth that’s been settling into my heart this week:

We are living in yesterday’s “what’s next.”

What once felt uncertain is now today’s current moment. Each hour. Each conversation. Each opportunity to live, breathe, work, play, give, forgive, and love.

The future we were anxious about has arrived—and it’s called now.

So this is a call to live in the “what’s now.”

Yes, plan. Yes, prepare. Yes, cast vision. Leadership requires it. But don’t get trapped there. Don’t let tomorrow rob today.

Stay present, as Jesus did.
Stay focused on the people in front of you.
The work you’ve been called to.
The opportunity to be generous.
The nudge of the Spirit.
The quiet space to connect with Him.

God loves what He’s given you.

And you have a real opportunity to honor Him with it.

Not tomorrow.

Today.

-Mark