What do we do with the space between a promise and its fulfillment?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Sometimes, I feel stuck in the muck between a prayer and an answer. I've been praying for something for a long time. You know what I'm talking about? Like a loooooooong time. What happens in the space between the promise and its fulfillment? We have lots of options to choose from. Here's just a sample of some of the choices I've made:
Frustration. Being frustrated always makes me arrogant, and unpleasant (to put it mildly).
Hopeless. This is a scary and dark place, and quite frankly, I know better because Jesus is my hope, but I need to be reminded of that when the situation seems hopeless.
Weary. Feels like I'm covered in leeches draining me of any strength I have left (sorry that’s gross).
Needless to say, when I choose frustration, hopelessness, and weariness in the space between a prayer and a promise, it gets ugly. Truthfully, I get ugly. And I don't like me ugly.
God told Moses at the burning bush that He had come down to rescue His people from slavery (Exodus 3:8). Yet, before they would see that promise fulfilled, things would get worse, much, much worse. So bad in fact, that Moses said to God,
"Why Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."
If you struggle in the space between a promise and its fulfillment, you are in good company. Moses did, too.
However, there is a big fat difference between Moses and us. We know how the story ends. We have the written word of God to remind us of God's faithfulness.
You and I have this promise –
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
When we feel stuck in the muck between the promise and its fulfillment, we have an important choice to make. We can choose frustration, hopelessness, doubt, worry, fear, and weariness, OR, we can choose to fill the space with faith, trust, and praise. Listen, when we CHOOSE to keep our faith, when we CHOOSE to trust that God is faithful, and when we CHOOSE to praise….
WE
FIND
JOY.
Joy. Right there in the space between the promise and its fulfillment.
We get to choose.
What will you choose today?
#FindingJoy
#FindingJoyinthemuck
#Godisfaithful
#dontmisstheopportunity