Hello, wonderful family of Ballina Uniting Church, how are you? I am doing well, still recovering from a very intense week of sharing, teaching, preparing services and enjoying worshipping alongside our congregation, our community, and our very special friends. But when you have such a build up to a season, the days afterwards are a bit weird. You start wondering what is coming next, and checking the calendar for the next busy season, but they are not quite here yet. Plans, dreams, expectations… everything needs to wait.

We find ourselves living in a time that can be described as “in-between.” It’s a time when we are not quite sure where we are heading, and we are not quite sure where we’ve been. Sometimes, it is funny- like when I wake up in the middle of the night and find myself walking around the house… Have I been to the toilet or was I on my way??? It’s a time when we are not quite sure what to do or what to say, because we are trying to figure things out, to make sense of where we are.  It’s a time when we are not quite sure how to feel. We are in a time of transition, of waiting, of uncertainty. And that’s not comfortable.

And yet, the Bible is full of stories about times in-between. From the time the Israelites left Egypt to the time they reached the Promised Land, they were in-between. From the time David was anointed king to the time he became king, he was in-between. From the time Jesus ascended into heaven to the time he returns, we are in-between. But what can we learn from these times in-between? How can we navigate this time of transition and uncertainty? I believe there are three things we can do.

First, we can trust in God’s promises. In the book of Genesis, God promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation. And yet, for many years, Abraham and his wife Sarah were childless. They were in-between. But Abraham never lost faith in God’s promise. And sure enough, in their old age, his wife became pregnant and gave birth to a son, Isaac.

Similarly, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, they were in-between. But God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. And sure enough, they eventually arrived at the Promised Land. We too can trust in God’s promises. We may not know what the future holds, but we can trust that God is with us and that he has a plan for our lives. As the psalmist says, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:3-4).

Second, we can be patient. David was anointed king as a young man, but he did not become king until around 13 years later. During that time, he faced many challenges and trials. He was chased by Saul, he lost his best friend Jonathan, and he faced many battles. But through it all, he remained patient and faithful to God. We too can be patient. We may not see the results of our efforts immediately, but we can trust that God is at work behind the scenes. As the apostle Paul says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Finally, we can embrace the journey. The Israelites may have been in-between, but they were not idle. They were on a journey, and they had much to learn along the way. They learned to trust in God’s provision, they learned to follow his commands, and they learned to worship him. We too can embrace the journey. We may not know where we are heading, but we can learn and grow along the way. As the apostle Peter says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

In conclusion, beloved church, let us embrace this time of transition and uncertainty. Let us trust in God’s promises, let us be patient, and let us embrace the journey. For in doing so, we will grow in our faith and become more like Christ. As the apostle Paul says, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3.18) And this is the most amazing part of this adventure with God: he is working in us and through us. Even when we are not quite sure of what we are doing awake in the middle of the kitchen at 02:30 in the morning… Grace and peace to you all!