Thursday thoughts: Trusting God in the 'in-between' times

I do not like the “in between.” I say that and inevitably I can still hear my mother say, “You’re in between a rock and a hard place.” That doesn’t sound too appealing to me. Maybe that contributes to me not being a fan of the “in-between.”

What I’m talking about is not just being in between seasons when you don’t know what to wear. When it’s cold when you leave the house and hot when you leave to come home, although that is something to think about.

What I mean is the in-between time when you are not sure which direction to go. The time when you are praying and/or waiting for direction from the Lord. The time between a problem and a solution.

We just happen to be right in the middle of an “in-between” time since my husband is still not able to work due to his recent surgery. For others, it could be an “in-between” time while waiting for a test result and it seems like it is taking forever. It could also be the “in-between” time when you are working on restoring a friendship or relationship. Maybe you are “in-between” answers, when you are praying for God to intervene or resolve an issue in your life.

The in-between times are when things are being worked out. The in-between times are when you know God is working and you just can’t see the whole picture yet. I don’t like being in between. I am a planner and, unfortunately, the in-between leaves plans hanging. It always seems when I am living in the “in-between” my mind can race and my emotions can take over. I feel like I have to work out every possible scenario that “could” happen so I am not surprised if it “does” happen. I have to say I don’t like this about myself and I’m sure my family likes it even less. However, I feel like that is the way I prepare myself for the unknown.

I was thinking about all the in-between situations in my life on my way to work this week. I might have been asking the Lord to give me some definite answers instead of the ones I am left to sort out in my mind. I really might have been sort of complaining or whining about these things.

Very gently, God reminded me. He reminded me of Noah. Noah had to keep working even though Noah was living in the “in-between.” Noah kept right on building an ark while not even understanding what rain looked like. Noah just kept on working even while living in the in-between.

He reminded me of Moses. Moses had to keep walking while trying to lead people to the promised land – a place he had not even seen. Moses just kept right on walking even in the in-between.

He reminded me of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary was a young lady pregnant and she was waiting for the fulfillment of a promise that her baby son would be the Messiah. Mary just kept waiting on a promise that was hard to understand or comprehend. Mary waited while living in the in-between.

It really made me think about life and, honestly, most all of it is lived in the “in-between.” Technically our life is lived out between birth and death. There are no timelines, no set schedules, and no guarantees. God is the constant and only sure thing in our life. God is always there, even when we feel we are living, working, walking or waiting in the in-between.

If I am honest, it’s in the “in-between" times that I seek, pray, and search for God the most. When life is easy and breezy I am more apt to trust “Jill” than God, and that is a dangerous place to be. Just a thought, but maybe God keeps me/us in the “in-between” to trust Him more.

I’m sure you have experienced some of these in-between times in your life as well. Maybe you are waiting for a test result, a job, an answer, a direction, etc. We have all been there and I’m sure we will be there again and again in this life

Let’s challenge ourselves to enjoy the in-between times. Let’s trust God and know that He has a plan. Our job when we are “in-between” is to be a Noah and keep working for the Lord, to be a Moses and keep walking in faith, and to be a Mary and keep patiently, prayerfully waiting. God will be faithful to honor our work, walk along with us, and hold our hand while we wait and patiently pray.

I am going to change my thinking about “being in between a rock and a hard place.”  I am going to remember that He is my Rock. The Bible says in Psalms 18:2 “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

The only way to handle the hard place is to stand beside the rock. What more could we ask? If I have to be in an “in-between” time I don’t want to be there without God! He will stand beside me while I work, walk, and wait for answers or direction in the in-between times. What about you? Who is your rock?

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Jill Johnson, a staff member at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother and Georgian. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.