Devotion: No Longer and Not Yet

“Honor the space between no longer and not yet.” ~Nancy Levin

Big transitions are often preceded by a period of waiting. It can be torturous. We can get frustrated with delays and speed bumps. If the next big thing would just hurry up and get here, we think, we could get on with life. We look up to the heavens and ask God, “How long must I wait?”

Three long months separate high school graduation and college orientation. Young adults in this season may work to earn extra money for school or kick back and enjoy their last summer at home. They are eager to leave the nest and soar. No longer seniors and not yet freshmen.

The months between an engagement and a wedding are filled with dreaming and planning. Dress fittings, registering for household goods, showers, and parties fill the calendar. The wedding day can’t arrive soon enough for the blushing bride. No longer single and not yet married.

Expectant mothers have nine months to prepare for the arrival of their little one. The slow growth of a mama’s belly marks the slow passage of time. Forty weeks is enough time to paint the nursery walls and assemble a crib. Still, the wait to hold the baby feels long. No longer childless and not yet a mother.

Adoptive parents may wait even longer. The period between the decision to adopt and the union of a forever family can span years. Political maneuvering and bureaucratic red tape often extend the process. During the wait, moms and dads pray for the child they cannot yet hold. No longer childless and not yet a family.

King David spent over a decade in the waiting room. Samuel anointed the shepherd boy when he was just a teenager. David spent years in the fields with the sheep and then on the run from Saul. David knew he would be the next king, yet he had to wait for Saul to die before taking the throne. No longer a shepherd and not yet the king.

The years of solitude aligned David’s heart with God. Hand-to-hand combat with lions and bears gave David the courage he would need to face Goliath. Battles against his foes prepared him to lead a nation with many enemies. The deep depression that threatened him taught David that his only refuge was the Lord. In fact, David penned these words during the no longer and not yet:

“My heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast;

I will sing and make music.

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;

I will sing of you among the peoples.

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Ps. 57:7, 9-10 NIV)

In the space between no longer a shepherd and not yet the king, David developed the character and faith he would need to be the greatest king to ever sit on Israel’s throne.We all spend time in the space between. The question to ask is not How long must I wait? but What can I do to prepare for what’s next? Will we spend our time frustrated or angry because our desire still seems so far away? Or will we honor the time God grants us to transition from who we once were to who we are becoming?

All-knowing Father in heaven, we thank you for the assurance that you see well into our future. You know what is to come and what we must experience in order to be ready for our next assignment. Help us embrace the time you give us to prepare. We have confidence that the other side of the waiting is full of promise and hope. We will wait for you.

 Scriptures for Reflection

 “I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 27:13-14 NIV)

 

“Show me your ways, O Lord,

teach me your paths;

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.” (Ps. 25:4-5 NIV)

 

Reach for More

 Are you in the space between no longer and not yet? You are in good company! While waiting on his crown, David recorded his thoughts and emotions in the Psalms. Spend time with David as he waits. Psalm 27 and Psalm 34 are a great place to start. Make his prayers your own by writing them out in your own words. Part of our prayer today is a paraphrase of Psalm 27:13-14.

Please, come back and leave a comment telling us how God spoke to you this week, or share your progress on social media using the hashtag #tgtreachformore. We would love to hear from you.

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man 17 years ago. She has three energetic blessings, ages 1 to 11. Her favorite indulgences are coffee, reading, writing, and running. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.