I spend all my time
Dreaming what the future's gonna bring
When all of this time
There's a world passing by
Right in front of me
Set my sights on tomorrow
While I'm tripping over today
Who says big things
Are somewhere off in the distance
I don't want to look back
Just to see all the times that I missed it
I want to be here and now
Starting right here, right now
With the very next words of love to be spoken
To the very next heart that's shattered and broken
To the very next way you're gonna use me
Show me the next thing
I'll do the next thing
Let my very next breath
Breathe out a song of praise to you
With my very next step
Be on a road that was planned by you
Lord, wherever you're leading me
That's where I want to be
With the very next words of love to be spoken
To the very next heart that's shattered and broken
To the very next way you're gonna use me
Show me the next thing
I'll do the next thing
Eyes wide open I see you working
All around me you're on the move
Step by step I'm running to meet you
In the next thing, in the next thing
Eyes wide open I see you working
All around me you're on the move
Step by step I'm running to meet you
In the next thing
With the very next words of love to be spoken
To the very next heart that's shattered and broken
To the very next way you're gonna use me
Show me the next thing
Eyes wide open I see you working
All around me you're on the move (I'll do the next thing)
Step by step I'm running to meet you
In the next thing, in the next thing
Eyes wide open I see you working
All around me you're on the move (I'll do the next thing)
Step by step I'm running to meet you
In the next thing, in the next thing
Eyes wide open I see you working
All around me you're on the move
Step by step I'm running to meet you
In the next thing, in the next thing
The Very Next Thing
The Very Next Thing Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Casting Crowns' song "The Very Next Thing" offers a profound reflection on presence and purpose in the everyday Christian life. Released with its music video on August 19, 2016, the song serves as a reminder that spiritual significance is often found not in distant, grand plans, but in the immediate moments and interactions placed before us. It challenges the tendency to focus excessively on the future, potentially missing the present opportunities for faith and service that God has ordained.
The core message centers on being available and responsive to God's leading in the here and now. The lyrics articulate a struggle between dreaming of future accomplishments and being grounded in today's reality, where real needs and divine appointments exist. This leads to a resolve to shift focus from future aspirations to immediate actions – speaking love, ministering to the broken, and being used by God in whatever way comes next. The repetition of "the very next thing" emphasizes this intentional shift towards embracing the present moment as the primary arena for faith lived out.
The song extends this idea of present-day commitment to personal devotion and obedience. It expresses a desire for the very next breath to be praise and the very next step to be aligned with God's planned path. This highlights a moment-by-moment surrender to divine guidance, acknowledging that God's will is revealed progressively, step by step. It’s about finding where God is leading in the immediate future and choosing to be there, actively participating in His work.
This theme resonates deeply with scriptural principles that encourage believers to live mindfully in the present, trusting God for the future. Biblical calls to be prepared for God's work, to seize opportunities for good, and to walk step by step in faith reflect the song's message. Passages urging readiness to serve, speaking truth and love, and finding God's presence and action in the world around us align with the song's call to have "eyes wide open" to see God working and to run to meet Him in the next thing He is doing.
Ultimately, "The Very Next Thing" inspires listeners to look beyond tomorrow's horizon and find purpose in today's opportunities. It encourages a posture of readiness and availability, suggesting that faithfulness is often demonstrated in simple, immediate acts of love, service, and surrender performed in response to God's ongoing guidance. By committing to the "very next thing," the song suggests we actively participate in God's unfolding plan, not just for a distant future, but for the present moment He has given us.
