There is an inner pressure that has been stirring within my chest. A restless sense of something coming that I do not yet understand. I feel much like the dry lump of cactus sitting on my kitchen window sill that I water just in case it’s still alive – prickly and drawn in.
Frustrated that nothing comes easy or goes quickly, we wrestle these invisible in-betweens.
We question… Why does everything have to be so hard? Is there purpose to the struggle? The wait? These painful delays?
Then suddenly, every once in a very long time, in the middle of some ordinary day, that cactus bursts with glory. Takes my breath away. It happened just this week. While my world spun circles around it, it has quietly been transformed.
So let’s consider this. What if…
Long seasons of in-between, are the necessary incubation of great things.
That stir we feel within us, is something beautiful desiring to be born.
The more unlikely the outward appearance, the more glorifying the final display.
It sometimes pays to water, seemingly lifeless things.
Miracles often come disguised, beneath a painful crown of thorns.
Lord, help us to believe that You are up to something good in the midst of our in-betweens.
Amen.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ~ Romans 8:18
QUESTION: What one thing can you do differently today to stop resisting and just water your season of in-between? Please share in the Comments.
I love your perspective. The other day a good friend, former roommate & powerful woman of God said something to me that rocked my world in so many ways. She said, ‘ You know the things you gave been praying & waiting for for so long? “Thank God, thank God, thank God.Stop praying, it’s already done. Thank Him, thank Him, thank Him..”
I felt I knew what the Lord was saying because I heard & did that from the Lord after my young husband tragically & suddenly died in an auto accident 20 years ago. I felt so encompassed in the Father’s love with that simple act of faith.
Well, the next morning in my devotions instead of asking God for the usual I began truly thanking Him. I was fillled with this sense of gratefulness ,relief & expectantcy. Trust was tangible.
Two months ago this same woman told me to ‘wait & rest.’ Up until now I thought I was doing à good job. I realized that through simple acts of thanksgiving I could cease from my works ( of preserving prayers), trust God in His perfect timing & truly rest.
Thank you Debra for this hope-filled message. My previous response to you somehow went missing as my website was getting a makeover in recent weeks. Most likely because I needed to receive your words again today after being sick for a week and feeling guilty about all that was left undone. I am sorry for your loss all those years ago, but so grateful for your shared wisdom and words of encouragement. So tired of wearing myself out when waiting, resting, and giving thanks was really all that was required. Lord, help us to discern between the times when we are called to work, and when we are called to lay it down and rest in gratitude because it’s already been done, even if we can’t see it yet.
Thanks for sharing this encouraging word! Our one battle is to see Christ in the midst of every circumstance — and know He is greater.
Amen to that Nicholas!