Living In The In-between

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!” (Psalm 56:8-9, NLT)

“He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” (Isaiah 53:3, NLT)

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4, NLT)

Longing marks every season of our lives until we reach heaven. It is a constant companion, woven into the fabric of our everyday existence in a world full of brokenness. We often find ourselves waiting for more of one thing, less of another, or something better in a different area of our lives. Our hearts ache for a world where everything is right, where peace isn’t hard to find, and brokenness is healed. We long for redemption—when every tear will be wiped away, and all things will be made new.

We are living between two Edens. God created us for perfect fellowship with him in the garden of Eden, where there was no sin, no pain, and no separation from him (Genesis 1–3). That perfection was severed by sin, leaving a void in our hearts—a deep yearning for restoration, for the way things were meant to be. But God, in his infinite mercy, has not left us without hope. He will one day make all things new. Revelation paints a beautiful picture of this future—a future where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (21:4, ESV). What a day that will be, when our longing is finally satisfied and we are restored to perfect fellowship with God!

In the meantime, how do we live faithfully in this in-between time when everything feels unfinished and maybe a little disheveled? Perhaps you find yourself weary from unmet expectations or carrying the weight of unanswered prayers. You may be grappling with doubt, wondering if God is really listening, or if his plans will ever come to pass in your life. In these moments, it can feel like time is slipping away, and we’re missing out on God’s best for us.

Can I let you in on a secret? You’re not too late for the life God has for you. The enemy whispers lies into our hearts, trying to convince us that God is withholding good things from us or that we need to check the right boxes to earn his favor. He wants us to believe that we’re somehow disqualified from receiving all that God has planned for us. We know that only God can satisfy our deepest longings. He is never late in fulfilling His plans for us, and his timing is perfect, even when it feels like nothing is happening.

Your tears are never wasted. Psalm 56:8 tells us that God collects every tear and knows every heartache. He sees and understands every pain you’ve endured, and even in the most painful seasons, God is present, compassionate, and near to you. Isaiah 53:3 reminds us that Jesus is well acquainted with your grief. He understands your sorrow, and he walks alongside you through every trial, offering his comfort and his presence.

Today, God is inviting you to open your hands and release your expectations into his care. Surrender isn’t about giving up hope—it’s about placing your hope in the right hands. It’s trusting that God is working in the midst of your longings, and that he has a good plan for your life, even when it doesn’t look like it right now. You are not too late for his purpose. He has not forgotten you, and he is faithful to bring about the restoration that you so deeply long for.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for meeting me in this in-between place. When my heart aches with unmet longings and my path seems unclear, help me remember that you see me, know me, and have good plans for me. I surrender my desires, my expectations, and my fears into your capable and loving hands. You are trustworthy and faithful, even when I don’t understand the timing of your work. Fill me with peace as I wait and courage as I walk forward in obedience. Strengthen my faith and remind me that I am never too late for your plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.