Meanwhile

I often wonder what Jesus' life was like between the stable and the temple.  

Scholars say about 30 years passed between that starry night in Bethlehem and the first time Jesus preached publicly in Jerusalem.

Jesus was born...then He began His preaching.

Seems like a long ellipse to me.  

But I suppose if I look at my life, that's about how long it took me to get it together.

Who am I kidding? I'm way past 30 years and am definitely still a work in progress.

But that's okay; we all are, I suppose.

I can reflect on my journey's timeline and see critical, defining moments that happened in between the ellipses,  

Some were great...some not so great...and some were downright awful.

In all those powerful times, I celebrated, grieved, and learned.

The in-between times of life are sometimes the hardest to endure.

The dot-dot-dot parts of our lives are often where the silent struggles and hard work lie.

The meanwhile times of our life aren't usually filled with shouts of joy or singing God's praises.

The in-between is where we open the gifts God has given us and learn and grow as we begin to use them.  

God prepares us in the pauses of life for what is coming next.

That preparation can be long, arduous, and lonely.

I’m assuming Jesus went through all of the ups and downs the seasons of life take you through as he was being prepared for His mission.

And it's in those seasons that we all, even Jesus, doubt, stumble, fall, and rise again.

Wherever you are in the meanwhile ellipse of your journey, know that you matter and that you are not and will never be alone.

Hold onto hope and faith as you cling to the truth that God is clinging to you in the meanwhile parts of life.

As you wait and wander on your journey, have faith that in the not-so-distant future, you will shout for joy and exclaim, "Look at what God did!"

Because God has great plans for you, beloved; just you wait and see!

Meanwhile, know that you are loved and held by God in every moment, always and forever.

Psalm 62: 5-6

For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him,

For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; My fortress and my defense, I will not be shaken or discouraged. On God my salvation and my glory rest; He is my rock of [unyielding] strength, my refuge is in God.

Trust [confidently] in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

"I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."