I never could watch all of Cinderella growing up. Sure, I loved the songs and her mice friends, but the way her stepsisters treated her, I just couldn't stand. Whenever the scene came where they tore her dress, I would leave the room. Then I got smart....I learned about fast-forward. From then on movie watching became great. I could skip ahead of the scary, sad or even boring scenes of any movie to get to the good!
Ever been in a season of life where you wish you could just fast-forward? Where everything around you seemed so lackluster that skipping ahead might make life more exciting? I am sitting in that place right now where things behind me were great, filled with life and love, and a future waits tantalizingly close filled with the promises of adventure and newness. But now I'm in the middle.
If you have ever been in the middle, you know the pains. The mundane routine that overcomes the days or the desire to cross yet another day from the calendar. At first it is comforting but it slowly gnaws at your spirit while becoming slightly less engaged in the day to day.
It's simple to recognize the greatness of the past or even to look ahead to the promises in the future. But the middle is just....blah. I have yet to hear someone say, "The middle of that movie was the best," or "I just loved the middle of that book!" Unless it's a donut filling, middles don't get much credit.
So what do we do when we are in the middle? Jimmy Eats World wrote a song telling us everything will be alright, alright. Several people I have asked advice from say to "grit your teeth and bare it" or "put your head down and get through it." I don't mean offense, but what if I want to actually LIVE my life? What if I want to engage in all parts, beginning, MIDDLE and end?
I don't think I have the answer, but I am clinging to the promise of joy amidst the middle (Psalms 119:23-24). I am praying, preparing and trusting that this season has reason even when I cannot figure it out.
Thought to think on: What season are you currently in? In what ways can you actively engage and LIVE your life regardless of the season?
