Living In Between

Today, I just want to encourage those of you that are living “in between”. What does that mean, Ebony? Perhaps you are in transition...God is calling you to a new purpose or assignment and you are scared or just don’t know how to respond. Perhaps you are waiting on a breakthrough...the season has felt so long and you are waiting for any sign of light. Perhaps you are just plain lost... everything seems to be changing around you and you aren’t sure what your place is. You are living in the “in between”.

Paul was a powerful and anointed man of God. He was given access to revelation and knowledge that many of us will never tap into. It was so great that he was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from boasting and exalting himself. He asked God to take it away from him 3 times. God’s response to that is my encouraging word for you today. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9a NKJV) I’m not sure I would have responded back to God as well as Paul did but that is the lesson in this word. God has not allowed you to be in this season of your life for no reason. He hasn’t allowed the enemy to attack you in your weakness to hurt you. Rather, He wants you to allow His strength to perfect you in that weakness. You don’t have to figure out how to fix your church, your spouse, or your finances. You just have to be open to God’s strength in your weakness.

I encourage you to read this entire section of scripture in your favorite version and really feel it but The Message really hit me in the gut this morning and I wanted to share. It says “Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.”  (2 Cor. 12: 7-10 MSG) The bolded line almost laid me out!  It is the answer to making it while you are waiting or transitioning to your next level. This storm, this test, this season that you are experiencing right now is God’s opportunity to show Himself strong in your life.

I want you to take a minute right now and think about where you are in your life. Think about what your particular thorn might be…..I’ll wait…..Okay! Now I want you to ask Christ to take it and use it for His glory. Ask Him to carry you through this “in between” season with His grace and strength.  Don’t focus on this trial as a handicap anymore but appreciate it as a gift. You will be able to bless so many people with your testimony. You survived adultery in your marriage with your mind intact and now you can tell someone that God is a keeper. You survived the incarceration of your husband with your household intact and now you can tell someone that God is a deliverer. You survived the stress of a bad financial situation with your family intact and now you can tell someone that God is a provider. In Christ, you are strong! You will get to the other side and you will better for the journey.

May God bless you as you wait, transition, and break through! AMEN