The frustrating season of being "In transit"

Growing up between countries I’ve been around airports A LOT! I always used to think that being in transit or waiting between destinations was such a waste of time! Like everyone else I would also try to make the wait as short as possible. I have come to realize that the same impatience we experience when we are in transit can be likened to the process we undergo in our spiritual lives when we hear a promise or a word from God. We want the promise to be fulfilled in the quickest time possible with no breaks in between! Right? I mean who wants to be wasting precious time? Being stuck in the in-between can be so frustrating and unnecessary.

How wrong I was! I’ve come to appreciate the season in between and here is why in 3 short points…

#1 For our benefit and safety

The number one reason why there’s a stop over between long haul flights is to ensure our safety. The airplane usually cannot make it to the final destination unless there’s a stop over along the way. It’s in the passengers best interest for the plane to stop over in between places, to either refuel or change planes completely. Going over the maximum flying time dictated by aviation safety regulations would jeopardize the arrival of the airplane, let alone the passengers!

Sometimes, this is true in our spiritual lives too. What often seems like an unnecessary lay over “in between places” is for our safety and to ensure that we actually arrive where we need to be. This is God’s heart when he looks at your route. He considers where you need to be and what you need to pick up along the way for you to arrive at your promised land. It may seem that the waiting period is too long but trust Him… He has your best interest at heart!

# 2 Moving forward in one place

Even though you are physically in one place and it seems like time is being wasted, this is completely not the case. As we occupy ourselves by reading or browsing the airport shops we are oblivious to the logistics taking place behind the scenes. While your busy checking your watch an aircraft is being prepared, re-stocked and re-fueled to take you to where you need to go. Cabin crews are changing shifts and a new pilot (who has had sufficient sleep) is taking his place. While you are sitting in the waiting lounge there is actual movement.

Every step in the “behind the scenes logistics” is taking you forward!

This is more true in spiritual terms. I look back over this year and reflect on the word gave God us, “that we are to leave our homeland for a season and take a call to go extend his kingdom overseas “. I knew that it would happen but I didn’t know it would take so LONG!

We’ve been “waiting for a visa ” for just over a year now. Was it a waste of time? Absolutely not! I look back now and despite my initial frustration I can see the incredible hand of the Lord at work. Here are just a few highlights:

# We have had sufficient time to hand over ministries to new leaders WELL. # We’ve been around to help and witness our church auditorium being built and launched. #Beloved friends and family have had time to process the transition. #We were around to lead my step father to Jesus just before his passing on. And probably most significantly the destination where we thought we were going originally has changed!

Wow… How aware I am that none of that had been a waste of time! Not even one second. What does your in transit look like? What promise from God did you receive that you are still waiting on?

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3

# 3 Watch your heart!

While the break in between is both a vital and necessary step I do believe our heart attitude can affect the length and quality of the transit process. Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, sometimes our negative attitudes, anxiety over the unknown and internal grumbling can cause unnecessary delays in our journey if we are not careful. As I reflect back now these are the lessons I’ve learned in this past year:

My faith has grown as we “stepped out onto the waters” and made decisions based on HIS leading rather than human conventional wisdom. I’ve learned to let go of everything else, even the outcome or destination itself in exchange for His hand! I don’t need to see the city over the horizon, as long as I can see as far as His hand in mine – I’m good! We’ve been around longer to pray, preach, counsel and enjoy our church family.

I have totally grown in patience! I finally grew past the frustrations of asking the question ” how much longer God” to programming my heart to the internal melody of “your timing and your ways are perfect oh God!”.

In the beginning well meaning people would daily ask the questions – “ when are you leaving? ” and ” are you still going?” . This used to cause anxiety and fear until I could finally confidently reply in faith “ yes we are going! I’m not sure when but we trust in HIS perfect timing!” All this with a real smile!

Up until the posting of this we don’t officially have tickets booked yet but we are confidently trusting Him for some time next week. We are still waiting for the last steps in the visa process to be finalized!

In the meantime I’ve packed two suitcases already and have given away all my furniture… we’re just waiting for people to come and collect. Why? Because faith without works is dead!

And because I heard him whisper ” the time is now“. I’ve learned to trust THAT voice .

I realize there’s still so much more to learn and grow in and in many ways our faith journey is only beginning. But for now…..we are peaceful. We are joyful. We are excited. And we are ready!