Job 38:2, “Who is this that makes my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true?”
A man called his physician and excitedly exclaimed, “Please come at once doctor. My son has swallowed my fountain pen.”
The doctor replied, “I’ll be right over, but what are you doing in the meanwhile?”
“Using a pencil,” answered the father.
What you do ‘in the meanwhile’ is vitally important to your life and the lives of others. Our leisure time and what we do during that time can build our character or destroy it. During the ‘in the meanwhile moments,’ we can either build our future or harm it.
Did you know God is working in those meanwhile moments? Our civilization has taught us there is a point A to point B to get things done and follow. Yet, when we are busy following our schedules and routines, God is busy working in our lives during those ‘in the meanwhile’ moments.
You may be running late but, ‘in the meanwhile’ God is protecting you from a possible car accident.
You may be facing difficulties right now, but in the meanwhile’ God is preparing you to help a friend who will be facing their own crisis that you will be able to help them through.
You may be dealing with problems with one of your children and their path is the wrong path. ‘In the meanwhile,’ God is allowing your child to struggle so they can find their way back.
We all live busy lives, some days feeling like you’ll never get it all done, and other days drag on. But we still have our precious ‘in the meanwhile’ moments. Moments we can use to strengthen our walk with Jesus, moments we can take a deep breath and focus on something other than the busyness around us, and moments to find peace.
For instance, while waiting at a stoplight, take a moment to pray. Pray for our government and the chaos it’s in or pray for the drivers around you that you all stay safe on the road.
While on an elevator, enjoy the moment you can be still and be thankful God is in charge of the universe.
While driving to work, you have those moments when you can joyfully praise God. I like to listen to Christian music and meditate on His goodness.
Whistle while you work. Whether doing the dishes, folding laundry, mowing the lawn, or doing tasks around your home that don’t require your full attention. Talk with God, hum, or sing praises to God. Think of ways you can help your church, friends, and even family. It can make those tasks more enjoyable, and you can spend time with God.
In those ‘in the meanwhile’ moments, what you choose to do can enrich and inspire, uplift and encourage, and possibly make your little part of the world a little brighter. And, who knows, while using the most of your ‘in the meanwhile’ moments, you may be helping someone somewhere else.
As Job tells us, do not stop God’s Providence by letting your ‘in the meanwhile’ moments slip away. Instead, ask God to open your eyes and transform your spirit to see those moments and use them to uplift and bless you and those around you.
As we live our lives, we will find that the road will not always be easy. There will be moments of ease and comfort, but as Christ changes us, we have to go through the process. Living in this world, guiding our families and loved ones through this life, and leading them to Jesus won’t be easy.
We will find ourselves in many ‘in the meanwhile’ moments. Let’s be careful not to just look at the surface of our stories and see only the challenging circumstances overwhelming our everyday lives with the evil around us. Friends, know and believe that God is sovereign. He is working things out for His glory. He is working in those ‘in the meanwhile’ moments. Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
This is the truth we hold on to in the moments that we don’t understand. This is what we KNOW. God is working. God is moving. God is doing things we cannot comprehend on this earth and we cannot fathom. Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.”
As you go through each day, remember there are always two things happening at the same time: 1-The physical reality of what we see and 2-The certainty of the good that God is going to act
Remind yourself often: “I don’t know the whole story of my life.”
Remember that with God, there’s always a meanwhile.
This week, take time to reflect on the moments that make you say: ‘I didn’t see it then, but I see it now.’
“With God, there’s always a meanwhile.” Where are you trusting that God is working in the “meanwhile” right now?
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on ConnectWithGodDaily
Featured Image by AdelinaZw from Pixabay
