Now What?

Several years ago, my family lived in a house with a fireplace. We didn’t use it consistently, but there were evenings when a fire seemed the ideal addition to any plan. One evening, we were having a small group of people over and the decision was made to build a fire. My husband got it all going, then ran to the store at my request, and I headed upstairs to finish getting ready. It wasn’t long before one of my children came upstairs and said, in a very concerning tone, “Mom, you better come downstairs.”
I followed downstairs, and I’m pretty sure I was exhibiting signs of annoyance and frustration. I don’t remember too well, because what I discovered when I got downstairs overshadowed the memory. There, in the fireplace, behind the glass, trying to scoot away from the fire, was an animal of some sort! My mind exploded in multiple, random thoughts: What is it? It’s a huge rat! What if it gets out? What if it bites one of my children? Are we all going to die of some strange disease because of this? Why isn’t my husband home yet? WHAT DO I DO?!  I began to be afraid the glass protector, which really was just leaning over the fireplace opening, was going to fall over and then all pandemonium would break loose. Somehow I ended up with a broom in my hands, the end of which I had pressed against the glass screen to keep the whatever animal in the fireplace. Please realize, all of this is taking place with much screaming and obvious anxiety. The kids and I do finally realize its a baby racoon. Number one clue: mama racoon is making all sorts of noise in the chimney, because one of her babies had fallen and she couldn’t get to him. We hear her scurrying up and out the chimney a couple of times, most likely saving her other babies. Mind you, I am not calm yet; this is way beyond my skill set. In my imagination, I’m sure Mama Racoon is going to come barrelling out of the fireplace and attack one of us – in the face – because we have harmed her baby! You can assume I was in no way processing rationally, nor portraying an image of calm maturity for my own babies.  At some point my husband comes home, and my daughter rushes out to him with this pronouncement, “You’d better get inside, Mom’s freaking out.” Notice she doesn’t mention there’s a rodent in our fireplace, because really, the bigger issue is I’m freaking out. We call animal control, we call the police department, we call whomever we can think of. We discover we are on our own, period. We brainstorm and call friends of ours who are outdoor and animal enthusiasts, and invite them over to participate in our little surprise party. They come, the whole family, with friends, and a cat carrier. They manage to prod the singed baby racoon into its new cage and we set the trapped animal outside on our patio to contemplate “now what?”
That phrase, “now what?” came to my mind the other day When I read the last half of 2 Corinthians 10:5 in my Bible. It says, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Generally the verse is  interpreted to mean that when we are thinking thoughts and ideas that are not glorifying to God we “capture” that thought,  or we identify and isolate it, so that we can then change, alter or adapt the thought so it is God glorifying. I have also read authors who apply this same verse to positive dreams and ideas. Again, the idea, thought or dream is to be identified and isolated (captured) so that we, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, can do what is necessary so that the thought, idea or dream falls in line with what God wants for us. Simplified, the verse has 2 parts: 1.) take captive (or identify and isolate) every or each thought; 2.) make the thought obedient to Christ. Step one doesn’t seem that difficult to comprehend. Step 2 is more challenging. To truly follow through with step 2 one needs to pray, seek wisdom, and sometimes take multiple steps of obedience!
Some days my brain needs to operate solely on “simple mode.” God knows that, so God chose to help me by giving me this phrase:
“So there’s this ___________, God, now what?”
I am currently at a time in my life where God is asking me to focus on daily obedience. He’s not bestowing me with big dreams or plans, but with activities, commitments, and disciplines for me to follow through with every day. I’ve been asking “now what?” quite often! When I think of applying it to my thought life it seems manageable.  “I have this dream Lord, now what?” Not- ‘how do I make it happen?’ Or ‘Whoa, God! Me?’ Or ‘This is how it’s going to go down, God.’  Just: now what? Am I to take a step of faith? Do I need to share it with someone? What one thing am I to do next? 
“I have this really judgemental thought, Jesus. Now what?”
“I’m afraid of what’s happening in my family, at my job, with our nation, Lord. Now what?”
” I have an opportunity to move, to advance, to go on a date, to go back to school, Jesus. Now what?”
Just one step of obedience at a time. Just one answer to be concerned with at a time.  What now, Lord? Prayer is still needed, so is seeking wisdom from God’s Word and perhaps even godly counsel. Asking the question ‘now, what?’ leads me to sit at the feet of Jesus more; I’m seeking His wisdom more; I’m recognizing His character and will more quickly.  Capturing some thoughts feels like trapping a rodent. We become distracted by all the possible ‘what if’s.’  “What if?” is the wrong question. “What if” doesn’t seek to isolate the thought or idea, instead it attaches one thought to multiple thoughts.  When our thoughts aren’t isolated or “captured,”  it’s too hard to make them obedient to Christ’s will, plan and purpose. You can’t ask ‘What, now?’ if you are consumed with ‘What, if?’
One step of obedience at a time-just one. I’m seeking one answer at a time: “So, there’s this__________, God. Now, what?” And I’m learning to make all parts of my life obedient to Christ.