Our Faith While In the Meantime

Our Faith While In The Meantime

Author and talk show host, Iyanla Vanzant wrote a book in 1999 entitled, In the Meantime. Readers of this book were likely anxious to get to the next phase of their lives. This book leads the reader through exercises that challenge the reader to reflect and do self-work before hastily moving to their next season. This block of time is referred to as, the meantime

While in the meantime God can do His best work.  For those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, we are not called to just depend on Him to make the changes to get us to where we think we ought to be. God may not take a step until He sees us begin to agitate the ground. We must invest sweat in the game of our lives.

I know what it is like to be stuck. I know what it is like to compare our journey to others who seem to be more successful than us. In the age of social media, it is hard not to do so. We must remember we are each uniquely made by God. Our journeys may be similar but not exactly alike. Psalm 139:14 says: 

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

That is you and that is me.

When we have the urge to move out of one phase of life, we are not to just wait on God to put us in the next phase. We want what we want, now. However, with all the distractions in our lives, we lack clarity for such moves that could have major consequences. This is when we can put our faith into action. In the meantime, faith.

In the meantime, Faith is a noun, yet it is not an idle time. It is a time of action. As children of God, here are some suggestions on what we can do.

1.        Be still – Stop trying hard to get an answer. Be okay with not knowing what to do. Take a moment to give thanks.

Thank God for the journey and for what he has for you on the other side of this rut. Have faith. Hebrews 11:2 says:

Now faith is the confidence is what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

I journal everyday as part of my meditation time. The journals come in handy when I need to remind myself how God has kept me this far. To re-read how situations have worked out in the past remind me that God is with me still to lead me through. Do you have a way to recall how life’s most challenging moments have eventually worked out in your favor?

 2.       Read Scripture – God’s Word can remind us to endure and trust He is working on our behalf.

Isaiah 40:30 says:

 But those that wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will fly up on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:14 encourages:

Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!”

3.       Find a mentor - Look at the people in your space and find someone to whom you can be accountable. Mentors are out there. Just ask. Find one who is mature and someone you can be in loving covenant with. You want someone not just to be accountable to, but someone who will encourage and challenge you. A mentor should be able to have tough conversations with you and shed light on areas you can work on while celebrating your successes.

4.      Be honest with yourself – Self-reflection is not easy, yet necessary when we want to be in a better place. If we want to improve our digital footprint, we have to study to understand how social media works. If we want to be healthier, we can’t eat fast food every day. Don’t blame others for where you are now. Take a true inventory of yourself. You might need to learn a new skill or quit that unhealthy habit. That is your responsibility, not anyone else’s.

5.      Mirror, Mirror – Someone you watch right now you are saying, “I wish I could do that,” or “I wonder how she got that done.” A few years ago, I became a licensed Zumba instructor. As a student, the instructors I liked were good at cueing moves so I knew and understood what to do. When I started teaching, I mirrored how one instructor I admired cued her routines. I made her cueing part of my choreography. The feedback from fellow students was good. Watch people who are doing what you want to do and mirror their activity and habits. What do you have to lose?

In the meantime, we are called to work in expectation of God’s providence to remain with us on our journey to provide us with what we need. He knows when we are ready for “our next.”  Trust God in the meantime. When we walk into a season prepared, we are successful. And remember, when we get to that place, someone is watching.