In school, whenever I was given a reading assignment, or even whenever I would read a book for fun, I would always look to see where the end of the chapter was and how many pages I had left to read. Even when I loved what I was reading I would still periodically check to see where I was in the book. I just liked knowing these things.
I realized this is how I am in a lot of other areas too. I know how some things are going to end and I keep checking to see how much longer it's going to be until they happen. I'm not the author of my story, but I'm pretty good at spotting foreshadowing when I see it.
In the midst of focusing on what's been foreshadowed, I'm missing the in-between. It's like I'm operating in Genesis and Revelation but don't want to look at Exodus through today.
I read the first post of #She Reads Truth, and it spoke the simple message that I needed to hear:
When we read the remarkable account of the creation of the world, we see an epic and historic picture of the perfection of the pre-fallen world. And however the timeline played out, we know that the Bible tells us this: God is the Creator of all things.
And when we talk about beginnings, it is natural for us to also think about the ending. Beautifully woven, the Bible begins with creation and concludes with the new creation. The word of God tells us in Revelation, “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.’” (Rev. 21:5-6, ESV)
There is one Author and there is one Story. And the all-knowing Author knew how the story would end, even as he penned the seas and swarmed them with living creatures, and as He breathed life into the man whose sin would one day nail Him to a tree.
And knowing all of that – knowing that He was creating the plants and yielding the seeds that would one day be his cross, that the beasts of the fields would need to be used as sacrifices for His people – knowing this then, the Author and Creator saw it all and called it good.
But why? It may seem trite to say, but the answer is love. He made the world perfect knowing that it would become imperfect and that He would make it new again. And hard as it may be to believe, He did it for the process. God had the power to skip right to the end, or to never create the world to begin with. But he did create it, and he did it to show Himself to us, that we might know Him. That we might know the breadth and length and height and depth of his love for us (Eph 3:18); that we might experience His grace.
What will be your response today, sisters? Will you find comfort (even joy!) in the cradle of the Almighty’s hand? Will you rest in the hope that He will restore creation – that He will restore you? The newness came and it was glorious, and it is coming again!
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [that’s a promise]. But take heart; I have overcome the world [and so is that!]." (John 16:33, ESV, emphasis added)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8,9, ESV) [Source]
As much as I want to let my mind daydream of everything that's ahead, I know I can't get lost in it. The internet has brought a reminder of things to come, of the American culture that I miss so much and the people that come with it. But why would I want to miss the in-between? I'm so used to instant gratification but God is showing me that He doesn't operate like that, and so He's molding me more and more to understand and appreciate waiting (even when I could possibly know the end).
Holy wowww it's hard though. Not that I really have a choice in learning this lesson. I mean, what would I do? Go home, when my heart is here too? Not fulfill a commitment I've made to abandon being comfortable for 11 months to live unselfishly? Not finish the experience of a lifetime? Once again, I feel like I'm learning a lesson and kicking and screaming through it. I know God is good, I know God is faithful. He's proved it to me time and time again. I do trust Him in this.
So I'll remember where God has worked in my past and been faithful in the waiting. I'll ask Him what He has for me this day, this hour, this minute. What is my purpose right here, right now? Because as far as I can tell, it's being the voice and advocate for children in poverty, and I'm choosing in my mind to want to skip to a part near the end of my story in order to be at home making a Nutella brownie recipe I found on Pinterest. And that's just silly.
Lord have mercy on me. Make my thoughts be more like your thoughts, and my ways like your ways. Help me to see what you have for me to do today and to trust you in it.
My question for you, is this:
How do stay present when everything in you wants to jump to the next season in life?
