Do the next thing

This phrase is so common in our culture today. I'm not sure it originated with this poem. However, I found it really encouraging when I read it today in the devotional,
"Beholding and Becoming" by Ruth Chou Simons.
She copied it from Elisabeth Elliot's newsletter here.

"From an old English parsonage down by the sea,
There come in the twilight a message for me,
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours the quiet words ring,
Like a low inspiration: DO THE NEXT THING.

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus. DO THE NEXT THING.

Do it immediately; do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
who placed it before thee with earnest command,
stayed on Omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings. DO THE NEXT THING.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
{working or suffering} be thy demeanor.
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance be thy psalm.
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing!
Then, as He beckons thee, DO THE NEXT THING."
(Source unknown)