What Do I Do Next?

Whether you’re graduating from school, celebrating a hard-won career opportunity, or embracing a new blessing in your household, starting on a new path can be exhilarating—but it can also be frightening. Despite feeling like all your hard work is finally worth it, you may also wonder how you’ll be able to make the most of your new path that, as of yet, has no title.

Here are 3 ways to make the most of your new beginning:

1. Invest in your future. When starting something new, it is often necessary to begin at an entry level with less compensation than is desired. However, turning your little into more isn’t as hard as it seems when you invest in your future. Take, for example, the two servants of a man who planned to go out of town. The man gave each servant gold to invest for him while he was away. One of the servants simply took the gold he was given and buried it for himself, losing the man’s trust and earning a demotion. Yet the other servant took the gold he was given, invested it wisely, and was able to double the initial investment, earning him praise and a promotion from the man when he returned. Today, make that investment in your future and remember these words: “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29 (NLT)
2. Rejoice in every season. Although our ardently achieved new beginnings are incredibly thrilling, we can sometimes get too caught up in our accomplishments and forget to savor our present. Just as we look forward to summer coming and neglect to appreciate all of the fantastic aspects of spring, we can fail to give thanks for the perfect moments we experience in the present. Similarly, if we spend all of our time feeling anxious and anticipating what’s to come, we continue to create more of that because each moment creates the next. So to truly make the most of your new beginning, make sure you’re taking the time necessary to enjoy it as much as possible, giving God thanks and appreciation instead of simply looking toward what you want to tackle next. Today, usher in positive energy and treasure your new beginning by remembering these words: “Rejoice always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (ESV)
3. Trust your path, even without a title. One thing that can be particularly terrifying about new beginnings is when the path you’re on seems to have no title. For example, graduates may struggle after leaving school because their new direction seems undefined. Other times, those taking a different direction in their career may find it difficult to adequately describe exactly where they are headed. In fact, this was even the case with David as he was named king thirteen years before he was officially crowned king. Yet even though his path lacked a title, David still managed to accomplish great things and fulfill God’s assignment. So today, embrace your path without a title by recalling these words: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 (ESV)

Today, turn your blues to blessings by rejoicing in your present and investing in what is to come.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…and He shall direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

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