Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
“.. and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”
We all want to go somewhere. May it figuratively be from point A to point B, we all want to reach a certain destination. I know for myself, for instance, that I have goals. I have dreams I want to achieve. And even though they seem hard to attain– even though stagnancy and complacency had their way of entering the scene, these goals and dreams have remained real– ever so present and knocking.
What even is in the in-between? In-between a starting point and the promised land– what’s in store for you? The Bible had painted a clear example in the form of the Israelites 40-year journey in the wilderness, where they experienced all kinds of challenges and trials. These included harsh environments, scarcity of food and water, fear and doubts, external threats, and personal rebellion and delay.
And let’s get it straight, the in-between may not be all that pretty. You’re going to go through challenges– hurdles to overtake. Yet, we are told to:
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The journey is as important as the destination. Come to think of it, sometimes, even the journey prepares us for the destination– for our hearts and character to be able to handle the things we’ve prayed for.
So, how do we navigate the in-between? Let me lay it down for you:
1) Remember God is Lord
1 Samuel 3:18 (ESV)
“He is the Lord. Let him do what is good in his eyes”
In first Samuel, Eli acknowledged God’s sovereignty, following God’s rightful judgement against his family.
In this life, which is the ultimate in-between towards the promised land, which is eternity with Jesus, we have the option to honor God or dishonor God. Either way, there is either blessing or curse attached to our every step. Either way, God is good.
Whatever you may be facing right now, remember that God is Lord and God is sovereign over your life. And we must honor Him completely and revere Him as such in our very lives.
Remember that there are conditional blessings and conditional curses written in the Bible. He rewards, but He also punishes.
2) Our obedience (disobedience) has its implications
Deuteronomy 28:1-2; 15 (ESV)
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”
“15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you.”
God loves you unconditionally– there’s no doubt about it. But just as I said earlier, as God rewards, He may also punish because He is a good God. Does that mean that when He punishes, He loves us less? It’s quite the opposite. God is a paradox. Because He is good, He is just. Because He loves us, He cannot leave us where we’re at– God disciplines the ones He loves.
Galatians 6:7 (ESV)
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”
So, what do we do in the in-between?
3) Be faithful to your covenant with God
Chances are you’ve already accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Chances are you’re being discipled at your local church, getting fed by the Word, flourishing in your walk with Christ.
Don’t give up now. Continue being faithful to Christ, submitting to His leadership over your life. Remember that God is not just Savior, but also Lord.
The in-between is a test on your obedience, faithfulness, and love to God. So, don’t give up now.
I’m currently in an in-between. And mind you, it has been a personal struggle against being way too lethargic, being way too stagnant, and being way too complacent. In this way, I can relate with you– that sometimes, the flesh gets the upperhand.
But, God– God reminds me of His Word. And He honors movement in His direction.
Wherever you are right now, if it’s anything remotely like the Israelites or even like me, know that God can still turn your current situation. Hence, may these be a timely reminder of what to do in the in-between– both for you and for me.
We all want to go somewhere. Wherever that may be, may God be there with you.