The Already, But Not Yet
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
If I was asked what the title of the current chapter of my life would be, I would call it this: Living in the already… but not quite there yet. Knowing that everything is within reach, yet it still feels so far away. Believing that the best is yet to come, yet life makes it feel like it’s not on its way anytime soon.
Instantly, my heart became slightly heavy. Thinking about how we try to move forward and go through with that business or book and it seems as though as soon as we do that, everyone must give us a reason not to. We get reminded that we don’t know everything, or we’re not bold enough or much of a go-getter as the other person who happens to have the same talent like us.
And sometimes, it is the battle itself with our thoughts that drain us from the energy and fire that we used to have. For some, this could be triggered by a current transition from everyone you knew and loved to a place of isolation or it could be a change in your body or ability that you still haven’t become accustomed to just yet.
The Word says that we are rich and highly favoured, that we know no lack (Philippians 4:19), and He will never allow us to fall (Psalms 46:5), yet it can be hard to believe you’re financially free when you’ve been struggling to pay your bills and there’s not enough for dinner every single night. It’s hard to build on our future by practising and doing the little now, when the visions He has shown us look far too big and beyond our reach here on this earth.
Nonetheless, I am so thankful because God knows exactly what we are walking through yet He chose to be close despite where we run to (Psalm 139:7-12). Even Jesus, who was Heavenly rich and comfortable, knowing only happiness and praise, came down and experienced the pain and temptations of life on earth, called on God to take this cup away from Him. Knowing of the suffering ahead of Him, He prayed to God, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Mark 14:36). His prayer is an example and a way of life; that we can pour our honesty and struggles in prayer even when our hearts’ desires for a split second conflict with His. So that a turning point of re-aligning our desires with His can be made.
And it is only then, after we’ve turned away and stopped striving to make things right or better, or make our bodies and bank accounts look a certain way, we can then choose to live in the grace God so freely gives us. He doesn’t need us to be the fittest or have everything in our lives moving in a nice orderly fashion; He just needs us where we are, wherever we are.
Reflection
1. Think about a promise in the Bible and whether you believe in it and are living in it. When you’ve thought of one or two, ask God to help you today to believe that promise.
2. What is one thing that you haven’t let go of and surrendered to Him?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your grace is sufficient for us and Your mercies are new every morning. Forgive us for where we have become impatient with You and help us to hear Your voice cheering us on and strengthening us to continue our journey with You. And may we feel and see Your hand guide and navigate us through each living day. Amen.
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