I'm the very definition of Type A. It's in my blood. The very fiber of my being. Not sure what all that encompasses exactly... but I do know that it takes more discipline for me to rest than it does to work hard. And I've always thought that was a positive trait of mine. I am a "Workman" after all.
But I don't think it's completely beneficial. Actually, I know it's not. You know it's a problem when you moved to college and your parents called you... just to make sure you were having fun. Yes, you read that correctly. My parents have never once asked if I have completed all my tasks. That's just a no-brainer. They called to make sure I left the library every now and then.
But what happens when you are forced to start spinning one too many plates? Or when you're forced to stand in the midst of an awkward season and have no idea when that season will end? Like living in your parents' basement at age 23 (which I completely understand is normal in this day in age... just not my preference!) and there is no light at the end of the tunnel... or at least, that's how it seems.
Type A can't really fix things like that. I mean, technically, yes. I understand that I'm fully capable of moving out and moving on. But for some reason, as of this exact moment, it's just not time.
I have found myself (once again) in the midst of the vast In-Between. I'm just gonna be honest. I don't like being caught in the In-Between. It's not fun. It complicates my plans and ruins what I think is best for my life.
But the truth is... I don't know what's best for my life.
The "secret" is out. I have NO IDEA.
I thought maybe entering my 20s would shed some light on how to escape this uncomfortably awkward world of In-Between... but it just became more awkward. Really didn't think that was possible. Type A! You're failing me! Big time.
But let's be real. You can be Type Q, R, or S and still find yourself caught in the Battle of In-Between.
Ecclesiastes says that "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV).
So it's inevitable. At some point in life, whether we've experienced it yet or not, we will find ourselves stuck between Point A and Point B.
But what if we aren't really stuck?
What if the very purpose of the In-Between is to better prepare us for Point B?
"Well, since you say it that way..." you might be thinking. Hear me out.
First, let me be real.
I'm great at waiting... when it comes to waiting in the grocery line. Or waiting for a package to arrive. Or waiting for Christmas. Or waiting for my birthday.
What I struggle with... is living in this place called In-Between. I'm not so great at that. And for the 23 years I've been blessed to breathe, I've spent much time in this place.
And as I've thought extensively about this place in which I seem to always be, I couldn't help but reflect on Hebrews 11. Talk about people who lived the In-Between. Their whole lives were spent there!
And then it hits me.
Maybe the entirety of our lives will be spent there too.
That's a 2x4 to the face, isn't it?
What if Point B doesn't exist on this side of Heaven?
I'm starting to realize that it doesn't.
"The Hall of Faith" (Hebrews 11) expounds on this thought. I'll show you what I mean...
"By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10, ESV)
"These all (Abraham and others) died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared them for a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16, ESV).
"And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:39-40, ESV).
[In order to get the full picture of the power of these verses, I encourage you to check out the whole chapter of Hebrews 11.]
It's obvious that part of our journey as followers of Jesus is learning to steward the In-Between. Because until we see Jesus face to face, we won't reach Point B. The Ultimate Point B, I should say. We will reach many Point Bs throughout our lifetimes. I will eventually find myself moving out of my parents' basement. I will survive graduate school. And praise God for those little Point Bs along the way!
So I've come to find... the In-Between isn't a season of earthly terms. It isn't like Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter.
The In-Between lasts until we take our final breath.
Only then will we breathe in Point B.
So the question becomes: What do we do with the In-Between?
We breathe it in deep. We soak it in for all it's worth. We make the most of the time God has given us between Point A and Point B.
Because In-Between is getting us ready for the Ultimate Destination.
I think most of the battle is just accepting the fact that our In-Betweens don't look the same.
But that's ok.
Because someday, we will share in the Ultimate Joy of Point B...
Together.
And realize that the In-Between was a treasure... all along.
