The In Between

Living in the “in between” is difficult. It happens when we are in between jobs, in between locations, in between surgeries, hanging on between life and death. We presently have several family members in transition. Our daughter is one of them. She and her husband are moving across the country to a new location and new job. It’s exciting, but taxing in many ways.

My husband and I have done that many times. Each change brings sadness, excitement, challenges, and  physical and emotional exertion in implementing all the nitty gritty details. We have lived in New York, Colorado, Minnesota, California, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Ohio, Wyoming, Kansas, and Florida, in that order. Does that kind of make your head spin? Well, each move was an opportunity from God to do His work in different locations in different ways. Once we got settled in each location, we knew that the “in between” times were worth the stress that it took to get there. I admire people who live in one place all of their lives. But that’s not how I’m built. And God knows that. So He has given me assignments that involve lots of “in betweens.”

I got to thinking about “in between” times during this past Holy Week. Jesus knew what He was in for when He spent His last days teaching His followers the important truths on His heart. His whole time on earth was in between His heavenly residence and His return to Heaven. I don’t think any of it was easy. He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).

Thank God, there is more to the story. Jesus knew He was headed for a horrible, unfair, humiliating death on a cross. But He considered it worth the price in order for us to be brought into the family of God. He also knew that death would lead to life, and His  humiliation would lead to glorification for all of eternity.

Whatever “in between” times we have are nothing compared to Christ’s. Whatever difficulties we face, we know that He understands. And whatever new opportunities we encounter, we can be assured that He is with us. That brings hope and peace.

But getting back to Easter – Jesus’ followers missed out on that hope and peace when the Savior was in the grave. The days between His crucifixion and His resurrection were horrible and grievous. They had witnessed something atrocious. But they had forgotten His promise to rise from the dead. How about you? Are you remembering His promises? Are they helping you through the “in betweens?”