Steadfast in those in between places

Google images-Jasper Johal

 Many of us have no problem believing God was or even that he is to come. It’s the middle part that gives us trouble. The part in between where we have to remain steadfast, unwavering with faces fixed firmly on the promise his presence. The persevering immoveable part.

I love how Oswald Chambers explains perseverance: “Perseverance is more than endurance. [It is] more than hanging on . . . . Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe our hero is going to be conquered.”

Chambers says that “one of the greatest stresses in life is the stress of waiting for God” –as anyone who’s tried to sell a house or land a job or see a breakthrough in a difficult situation knows.

Recently I received two pieces of correspondence from people that most writers aspire to hear from—publishers and agents. The agent was responding to a query I had sent her one-and-a-half years ago. She said although my story sounded remarkable, memoirs were a hard sell, especially for first-time authors, so best wishes in finding someone else to represent me.

Within a day of receiving this belated response from the agent, I received the first copy of that same difficult-to-sell “memoir” which will be released in a few weeks by Thomas Nelson, the world’s largest Christian publisher. I cried when I read the enclosed personal note telling me they were honored to be my publisher.

Two notices. One rejecting a dream, the other celebrating its fulfillment.

As I held the two messages, I thought about how I felt when I had queried the agent that year past. I was full of hope and expectation and possibility. Although disappointed my query garnered no response, I pursued other opportunities, certain within my being that God had a way.

How thankful I am for the sense of steadfastness, for the conviction that I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, for the confidence that although the conventions of worldly wisdom would dismiss my work as being unsellable, God’s purposes would prevail.

James tells us that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. If you are experiencing a difficulty, I pray that you would not waver in the time between what was and what is to come. And may your perseverance not be of fierce hanging on because you don’t dare let go, but of joyful confidence that indeed your hero is not defeated, that although you can’t see him in this present trial, HE IS.

Lord, today, regardless of what we see, I join my heart with my friends stopping here today and proclaim My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. Ps 108:1

Home Alone

My brother’s wife has left him home alone for the past three weeks while she visits her parents in Florida. She may wish she hadn’t.

Some people are not good left to themselves for such a long period of time. They get fidgety. They suddenly notice that the kitchen walls still bear the fingerprints of their children who have now graduated from college.

They notice the chipped corners of the beige Formica counter, and it occurs to them that they never liked beige counters.  Eyes no longer distracted by the wife at the sink or the kids at the door, sweep over out-dated, nubby faucets and vintage microwaves.

And then, like a slow spreading sunrise, an idea forms.

They will surprise the wife, paint the kitchen, which unfortunately makes the cabinets look dingier than an old sponge, and maybe replace the counters, which leads to a new sink and faucets, and while they are at it, the stove and microwave, coffee maker, mixer. . . . 

Needless to say, one thing often leads to another, whether paint on the wall or a habit in the heart. Even the smudge of tribulation, by God’s grace, can lead to something good as the author of Romans points out:

               

“Knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and  proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.”—Romans 5:3-5

I pray for you who have paused here today, that in whatever circumstance, your heart would be painted with the hope that does not disappoint and that you would know the sufficiency of God’s grace in all that you apply your hand to,as you are being transformed into his image.

P.S. Last I heard, Bill was working his way down the hall. I hope his wife comes home soon. I’m pretty sure she’ll be surprised.