This weekend has blown me away! I have had the honor to attend the She Speaks Conference hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries. This conference is designed for women whose purpose in life is speaking, writing, and/or being in a leadership capacity. The information was not only “life-altering”, it was relevant and real. Real people giving practical suggestions that can be put into place to further our purpose. Lysa TerKeurst, the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, spoke reminding us “there’s always a meanwhile”.
This is such a profound statement. “There’s always a meanwhile.”
Her message resonated with me on several levels.
One Level: while Savannah was in the hospital. During that entire time, I was faced with the physical reality that her little body was being ravaged by “infections of unknown origin”. As her mom, to say I was “devastated” is a gross understatement. However, I remember feeling that there was something “bigger” happening in that moment. Just because I only know the physical, does not mean that the spiritual is not AS REAL. I had to FREQUENTLY remind myself of that fact to prevent myself from ruminating on the negative. Savannah was fighting for her life, meanwhile God was working on her behalf.
Second Level: after Savannah moved into Eternity. We were at home trying to figure out this “new normal” as a family of three instead of four. We are wiping tears of sorrow because we are missing that goofball Savannah, meanwhile she is laughing tears of joy in the presence of the Almighty. Frequently reminding myself of this fact helped ease the ferocious sting of this physical reality.
Third Level: presently when I face disappointment. When we exhibit laser-like focus and work all day and into the night on projects (or relationships) that are meaningful to us and consistent with our purpose, we feel a sense of accomplishment. This “accomplishment” can quickly turn into disappointment if we don’t obtain the results or responses we so hoped. If we aren’t vigilant, disappointment can lead to discouragement which ultimately turns into abandoning our projects. Thus, our ability to fulfil our purpose is suspended. We must frequently remind ourselves, while we did not obtain the results we desired, meanwhile God is working on all parties’ behalf.
Fourth Level: future reality. We may or may not ever know what the purpose was for those disappointments while we are on Earth. This is where our “faith” comes into play. We must have faith that God is working on our behalf. We must be intentionally diligent and not let our anxiety, worries, and “human-ness” interfere. We are on Earth, meanwhile God is in Heaven working on our behalf.
Merriam-Webster defines meanwhile as “during the intervening time; at the same time; and the time before something happens or before a specified period ends.” We can rest in the fact that God is bigger than our present disappointments, worries, fears, and ideas. He is orchestrating something beautiful that, one day, will be revealed to us. I encourage you to remember scripture when you forget that “there’s always a meanwhile.”
Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:38 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”
Ok, just go ahead and read all of Romans 8. While you’re at it, just read all of Romans. I highly recommend visiting the Proverbs 31 Ministries site at https://proverbs31.org/ for some wonderful resources and encouragement in the meanwhile.
This picture is of Savannah and I at the beach a couple of years ago. Our goofy, excited faces remind me that we have MUCH to anticipate in Eternity.
Remember, God is at work in the meanwhile while you THRIVE!
Stephanie