When you find yourself in the complicated middle of a season.

I have recently taken some time to think in terms of the big-picture of my life season right now. What is God doing? Where is God leading? What has been working and what isn’t working anymore? What new rhythms would serve well in this season?

But as I have reflected recently, I have realized that, as much as I would like to be stepping into a new season, I am really not. There is still transition happening in our home, callings, work, and family. 

I am a person who enjoys a new season. I like the freshness of a new start, the turning of the page that reinvigorates my heart. But I have realized this: I am living in the complicated middle of a season. Not at the end, nor the beginning. I am squarely right in the middle.

So how is it that my life and ministry seems to stretch on in front of me in a way that requires endurance and patience and steadfastness?

I think a lot of us find ourselves here. Maybe you’re like me and you don’t want to admit it, or maybe you have never thought about it before. But many of us are in the middle of something – and, if you are, it can feel like there is not much to take note of when you’re in the complicated middle. But here’s my encouragement to all of us who find ourselves here, most of following Jesus is going to be lived in the complicated middle. 

It seems to me that very few of us are called to the extremes, but all of us are called to ordinary faithfulness. We are called to consistency, to every-day grace, to ordinary endurance when the routine grows mundane. We are called to stretch out our hands daily and surrender to God who guides and guards are days. We are called to every-day, common, persistent faithfulness as we walk out our faith in this life. 

So if you are like me and you are heading into fall feeling a little un-celebratory, wishing you could turn over a new leaf, but realizing that God has you walking the same path that you have been walking for months and maybe years and maybe even decades… Be encouraged. Our God is a God of ordinary faithfulness. He is a God who doesn’t let go of us when we are dull and our lives of obedience are unexciting. He stays with us, His presence is persistent, He is enduring. We can live with FREEDOM & JOY in the ordinary as well.