“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
My husband said this to me one night, and I have pondered how everything is not always black and white. There’s a whole lot of in-between.
I am uncomfortable in this gray, undefined space. I realized this when I killed my most prized plant: a new, large Rhododendron bush. I was so proud when I planted it one spring day. But as fall and then early winter came, the plant looked dreadful. So, I did what any nature lover would do: yanked it out of the ground.
I was at peace about putting my poor bush out of its misery—knowing it was in a nursery high in the sky—until I noticed the house by the park with rows of dreadful-looking Rhododendrons. What had I done?
Sure enough, when spring arrived, those rows of dreadful bushes popped out sweet little buds, reminding me of my complete lack of faith in the process happening within this living thing. Then again, that’s not necessarily a bad thing to be reminded of. But back to the if-it-isn’t-growing-it’s-dying thing. A lot was going on in the life of that beautiful plant that I couldn’t see. It was far from death.
When the Lord asks us to wait for Him, He asks for our trust in His timing and purpose.
Life is filled with challenges, hiccups, strains, and detours. Every Easter I am reminded of the ultimate act of trust in the unseen. Imagine how Jesus’ followers felt during the last week of His life. He foretold things to come, but since the dreadfulness and darkness of Good Friday was in full effect, it must have been nearly impossible for His followers to rely on the promises they heard. But three days later, everything made sense.
When things are different or seem at a complete stop, remember God is good. He is working out much in the quiet gray space in-between. Looking back at my own life, I believe this is where God’s creativity and love deeply thrive. He’s asking us to trust, hold on a bit longer, and wait for all He holds on the other side.
How can you better adjust to the gray in-between?
(photo courtesy of pixabay.com.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Monica Stoltzfus’ debut picture book, The Ripple, was awarded first place by the National Indie Excellence Awards for Best Inspirational Children’s Book. Her newest book, Just Compose Yourself: Finding Hope in Spilled Coffee, was released in 2022 and is a collection of stories about faith and motherhood. When not writing books, Monica writes on her personal blog, Just Compose Yourself, where she shares encouragement, advice, and creative ideas for adults. She is blessed to be the leader of her parish’s nationally known Bible study, Walking with Purpose. She is also a busy mother of four fearless daughters.