In Between

The little in-betweens...

Most of my life I been waiting for a “for such a time as this” moment... in some small way, like Esther coming to the realization of her life purpose and God’s plan.

Looking.

Watching.

Waiting.

The busyness of life propels me forward and it almost becomes a frantic search for purpose that sometimes I fear I will miss it.

To always be looking anxiously ahead is to mistrust the Author of Life. How is this the walk of faith I so desperately want to live? True faith at its core is shalom, a heart at rest and full confidence that He is in control.

The older I get the more I realize life is more about the little “in-betweens,” those small moments in between what you think is so important.

For me, this means stopping and giving my full attention to a little person when they are trying to tell me something... eyes focused and listening with the purpose of hearing what they are really saying (not just smiling and nodding).  In my case my nine-year-old little man may be having an emotional outburst because he’s just hungry and needs another sandwich (He is ALWAYS hungry!). The key is to slow down and really listen. To him it means the world to have a present parent, especially in those moments.

This may not be at the “Esther level” of rescuing people from death, but it’s making a big difference in the lives of our loved ones.

The Bible tells us not to despise the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10). It is in those small things that God is working powerfully.

Corrie ten Boom talked about this in her book, Tramp for the LORD. She wrote that it is not those who plead and beg God for power from on high that receive it, but rather it’s those who are obedient to His commands. Her walk of obedience is inspiring because we see how God used the little things to transform her and those around her.

She had the byproduct of obedience: JOY. Full, over the top, enough to fill an ocean of joy.

It’s like what Jesus said in John 4:34 after his words of life transformed the woman at the well: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” His sustenance was to walk in humble obedience to the Father. It was His sustenance and joy.

Obedience. Yes, it’s a long walk in the same direction.

Just doing the next obedient act in front of you.

Sometimes it’s just making a sandwich in-between.

Written by Kori, LIFE Staff