“That Place” – Between the Old and the New

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Have you ever been in the “in between”, in the “not yet”? You’re not where you used to be but you’re not yet where you want to go either. My friend calls it “that place” – you’ve left the known, embarked on the journey, but you’re not sure where “there” is just yet. In fact, maybe you don’t even know where “here” is – so you’re in “that place.” And it is a difficult place to be. I’ve been in “that place” for a while. I know where I’ve been and I’ve left it behind. I know where I WANT to go, but the path between what was and what I want isn’t clear. Plus, we don’t always receive what we want!

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So I’ve left what I’ve always known behind. I’ve left the comfortable in order to follow God to where I believe He’s called me. But I’m not at what I believe the destination is just yet. And I believe with all my heart that God is the giver of not just good gifts, but the BEST gifts and that His plan for my life is better than anything I can come up with on my own. So I pray and believe in the “there”, in the “not yet” while I hang out in “that place” of being in between. And I remind myself that my “there” may not be God’s destination for me. And I want to be OK with that, but honestly I’m not. I want to have holy indifference and total trust that God’s way is the best and His gifts are best, but I want my way and I’m anxious about what will happen if I don’t get it.

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And so as I sat in “that place” the other night, I asked God, “How I am supposed to actually LIVE day in and day out in ‘that place’? How am I supposed to approach life in the in between?” And His answer to me was both simple and convicting…with gratitude. As the journey continues, as the adventure unfolds, live with gratitude. As the unknowns remain and the future stays unclear, be thankful for today. As you wait for “there,” stay present in and be grateful for “that place” or you’ll miss out. You’ll miss out on peace, on provision, on growth opportunities, and on His presence.

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Yes, God. Yes! Exactly what I needed to hear. (Funny how He seems to always know.) Live with gratitude, even in “that place”, in fact, especially in “that place.”

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Ever Be…or Not??

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Bethel’s worship song, “Ever Be” has been one of my favorites for over a year now. But have you ever had a moment while singing a favorite song where the words take on a whole new meaning? Almost as if you had never actually understood them before? Yeah, that happened to me this week.

Your love is devoted,
Like a ring of solid gold.
Like a vow that is tested.
Like a covenant of old.

Your love is enduring
Through the winter rain
And beyond the horizon
With mercy for today.

Faithful you have been.
And faithful you will be.
You pledge yourself to me.
And it’s why I sing,

Your praise will ever be on my lips,
Ever be on my lips.
Your praise will ever be on my lips,
Ever be on my lips.

We so often talk about the importance of trusting God and continuing to praise Him in the midst of life’s storms. And certainly we must trust and praise God when tough times come. He is a Comforter and Redeemer of all the hurt and pain and trials and tribulations of life. However, the irony is  when all hope is lost and everything appears to be falling apart, it is often easier to trust God and praise His name than at other times. In the darkest times we have nothing to cling to BUT God. It’s also easy to praise God when life is going well.

But what about the “in between” times? You know, those times in life when nothing truly tragic is happening, but life still isn’t going the way we want it to. You’re thrilled to have a safe, warm house, but it isn’t what you want. It needs new flooring and the bathroom needs remodeled and the kids just put another hole in the dry wall. You’re super proud of your family, but the kids just won’t stop arguing and 5th grade math has you feeling like an idiot. Everything is going really well at work. You have a job you really enjoy and find meaningful. But you really want that promotion and fear you’ll never get it.

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I think I spend a lot of time in this “in between”. I think we all do. And though my praise for God so often waivers, He remains faithful through these times just like any other. His love for me really is devoted and tested and enduring. He has indeed pledged Himself to me and He always keeps His promises. He is worthy of my praise all the time – when He’s all I have to cling to, when life is better than I could imagine, and when I’m in the “in between”. So the question is will I praise Him? Will His praise truly “ever be on my lips” even when I’m simply not getting my way? Will I continue to praise Him at all times, choosing to trust Him to work all things for my good, and be my great Redeemer. Will I acknowledge He is the Giver of all good gifts and my truly devoted loving Father? I long to! And the best news is God is as great in mercy and patience as He is in love and kindness. But our praise is literally music to His ears and He deserves it always. So may it truly ever be on our lips.

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