So often we view our lives in small chunks: school, college, working, family, mid-life, kids moving out, retirement. We move from day to day, until we reach the next segment. If that’s the way we’re living life, I’m here to tell us (yes, you and me) that we’re missing out. No, we’re not skipping over a segment of life, we’re missing out on the in-between times.

What are the in-between times? Quite simply, the times you’re not “there” yet, wherever “there” may be. Maybe you’re finished college and searching for a job. Or maybe your youngest will move away and begin college in the fall. Or maybe you’re in the midst of schooling all your children, awaiting the day when they are a little more independent and can do some on their own - the in-between times.

It seems very normal to move from segment to segment of our lives, but what about the in-between times? What are we missing out on, while we wait until we get to the next segment of our lives? Blessings. We’re missing out on blessings.

I saw a quote on Pinterest recently, that I loved, and that quote is what got me thinking about all of this.

“Until God opens the next door for you, praise Him in the hallway.”

This quote gathers so many good points into one succinct statement.
First, “Until…” This is a hopeful word. It’s going to happen, because that’s how God is. He isn’t going to leave us where we are.

Second, “…God opens the next door…” Opening the next door is not something we can do. It’s something God has to do. And He will. If you aren’t sure of that, comment below with a question or concern and I will gladly get you some specific examples of God opening doors.

Third, “…for you…” It’s going to happen for you. Not just for everyone else around you, although it can seem like that sometimes. God doesn’t just forget about us, or decide to bless everyone else except us. The next door will open for you!

Fourth, “…praise Him…” This is good advice for any season - whether you’re in the thick of life, whether you’re recharging and getting some rest. Maybe you’re facing a particularly tough situation, or feeling exhausted - praise Him. There’s never a time when this does not apply.

Finally, “…in the hallway.” In the in-between times. Until…the next thing begins to happen. Life isn’t always about being where we’re supposed to be. Often, life is about the getting to where we’re supposed to be.

My thought was that we’re missing out on blessing in those in-between times. What if we began to live with the idea of “until” in our minds and hearts, rather than “if”? What do I mean? What if we started to look at those in-between times as times to worship God until He provides the next step, rather than waiting to worship God if He provides the next step? What if we focused more on worshiping in those times when it’s hardest to worship, knowing that God will (do what we need), rather than wondering if God will (do what we need)?

We’re looking at persistence this month. The dictionary defines persistence in several ways, one of them being, “continued existence or occurrence”. Our worship to God should be something we persist at - it should be in continued existence. That helps our focus to be on God during those in-between times.

We can also look at God’s love in terms of persistence. It is in a state of continued existence. God is persistent in loving us, and will guide us through the in-between times.

{Pause here for a minute: God is persistent in loving you. He loves you until not if. Take just a minute to consider that.}

Psalm 48:14 was a part of my devotions a few days ago. I love the verse by itself, but it was even more amazing in the context of the chapter. I’m going to share the verse here, but I’d encourage you to take a minute to read through all of Psalm 48.

Psalm 48:14 -
For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.

“He will guide us until we die.”
Not - He will guide us “if…”, but rather, “until….”
Why? Because “…that is what God is like.”

“Until God opens the next door for you, praise Him in the hallway.”
Why?
“…he will guide us until we die.”
How do I know?
“For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever….”

Have a blessed week!

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