In the Meantime
An old song went like this: “In the meantime, in between time, ain’t we got fun?” I wish they had said “don’t we have fun?” But the point I am making is the “In the meantime” – no matter the problems, concerns and worries….there’s still a place for fun – if we would just look for it.
Speaking of fun, “in the meantime” took on a whole new meaning for me when I read about the eight roller coaster riders who were stuck hanging upside down for around three hours at a festival in Wisconsin (back in July 2023). I’m sure those riders weren’t singing “Ain’t we got fun?”
We have plenty of reasons to worry about our future and even the here and now. What can we do about the hopelessness we could sense about our nation? We can “have fun” praying and believing God is in control so why should we worry or fret?
But what about those “moments” when we are buried in “to-do’s” and when those “in the meantime” moments aren’t fun. Who likes paying bills? Waiting for a flight to land? Waiting for a check to arrive?
God never says, “Thou shalt not have fun, nor shalt thou smile in all thy days.” I think He must be filled with joy when He sees us, in the meantime, laughing with our friends and family, dancing in the rain, and celebrating His goodness and mercy!
Case in point. Last week, “in the meantime” meant finding fun things to do prior to attending the Dallas Comboy game on Thursday. So, we attended the new movie “Journey to Bethlehem”; we ate at Rainforest Café, and, we thoroughly enjoyed a great meal while watching the Medieval Times actors, the horses, and the performance.
God promised us many blessings, but there may be a time between when God spoke it, and it is revealed. Usually, during those times, God is working on our tight relationship with Him to receive the blessing. During the waiting period (the “in the meantime”), we have choices – to grin and bear it or to grumble and complain about it or to “have fun”.
During the waiting period, we have choices, to be productive or not, to stand strong in true grit faith and determination and to determine that quitting is not an option. We dig our heels in and purpose to not give up until we’re taken up!
Maybe you are in an “in the meantime” situation today. You may be in a waiting period with God. I encourage you to grow, learn, and be productive during the “in the meantime”. “I am confident of this — that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)
John 10:10 says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus didn’t come to make life worse for anyone. He came to pave the way for an abundant life. Many people look toward heaven for that abundant life, but the truth is that Jesus wants people to start living it now.
God has a way of working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28) “in the meantime”! Through it all, with our participation, God is packaging up blessings that can hardly be contained. So, “in the meantime”, I’m going to enjoy the journey! How about you?