Discovering the Glorious Inbetween

There’s something remarkable about the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It may be my favorite week of the year. Basking in the afterglow of the joy-filled day before, while experiencing peace and post-celebration stillness. Mix all of that with hope and possibility for the year to come, and I can’t think of a better time to be in God’s presence.

 

There’s nothing else quite like it.

 

I didn’t always appreciate this week of inbetween. I got so caught up in the waiting that I failed to see how God wanted to show up at that very moment and be present with me in a new way, like nothing I’d ever experienced before.

 

You see, it’s also a time to reflect on the past and anticipate the future, and I’ve spent too much time living in both of those places. But the inbetween can be the most precious place, when we let go of the longing and choose to embrace the now.

 

“And the king repeated his vow: ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel.’” 1 Kings 1:29-30 NLT

 

King David neared the end of his time on earth. At a very old age, he lay in his bed unable to keep warm. He had ruled Israel for 40 years, and now he waited, somewhere in between a fruitful life and seeing his Lord face to face.

 

But God directed him in his time of inbetween. And as a result, something glorious happened.

 

“Then the king bowed his head in worship as he lay in his bed, and he said, ‘Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who today has chosen a successor to sit on my throne while I am still alive to see it.’” 1 Kings 1:47-48 NLT

 

David appointed Solomon to be the next king of Israel. Solomon, the king who prayed for wisdom, led God’s people, and rebuilt the temple. And in David’s last visit with Solomon, he spoke these prophetic words that breathe hope and purpose into our lives today.

 

“If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’” 1 Kings 2:4

 

God spoke an amazing declaration during David's time of waiting. God's only son Jesus, the King of all kings, would one day be born in the lineage of David. And now, Jesus forever sits on the throne as our Lord and Savior, ready to see us face to face. Our ultimate promise of eternal life.

 

From God’s divine direction in David’s inbetween, we can find hope for our own.

 

Maybe you are in between jobs. Or maybe you’re waiting to hear whether the doctor brings a good report or bad. You might be longing for a dream to be fulfilled, or wishing for a lost relationship to be restored. Wherever you are right now, know this promise to be true.

 

God can orchestrate the glorious, even in the midst of our inbetween. (Tweet this.)

 

So let’s experience this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day with renewed expectancy. Let’s embrace the still moments and quiet days. Instead of waiting on an answer, let’s wait in God’s presence. Because during this time of in between, He desires to draw closer to us than ever before. And there’s nothing more glorious than that.

Blessings,

Kristine

 

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