In the Middle
But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the LORD. 2 Kings 20:4 NLT
There’s a beginning, a middle and an end. There are starts, stops and finish lines. Starting anything (especially anything considered fun) is anticipated, trained for and planned. It’s exciting. Usually this can be said of an ending too – unless, of course something goes drastically wrong. Such as the time when we were on vacation, our first day of a three-week road trip with our truck and trailer.
Having limped through the hot desert of Nevada, we rolled into Twin Falls, Idaho with a tired truck, only to discover our trailer electricity was on the fritz that same night. We had one day at this KOA, it was the 4th of July weekend, so it was very busy, and we had a carefully planned out trip which included family, multiple states and national parks. Buying a brand new truck in another state, was not on our bucket list, but, God was in it and we breathed a collective sigh of relief and praise as we continued on to Montana the next day.
We were stuck in Idaho. We couldn’t go forward and we couldn’t go back. We were in the middle. And just like Isaiah, the LORD spoke. What is implied is the fact that Isaiah listened; most important when God speaks, by the way. I never want to have selective hearing when it comes to words from my Saviour.
“I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the LORD.” 2 Kings 20:5 NLT
These words were spoken to King Hezekiah who had cried out to God asking Him to remember his faithfulness and service to Him. Hezekiah was ill and dying. Things were desperate, in the middle of his reign, bad timing. Hezekiah was in a desert. In the middle of one, in fact. Alone in his illness, crying out. He did not stop and give up. Many in this predicament do stop. A desert is not a good place to stop – lack of water, shelter, food, companionship.
I’m in a desert of sorts too. Having just received word today that what I thought was the last stretch of my feet injury recovery is actually only the middle. I was seeing the finish line, tasting the victory lap, getting excited for the next part of my life, post-injury. To only be in the middle leaves me feeling defeated, honestly. I wept most of today because in this desert is a dry, seemingly barren, land.
I say seemingly, because in my perspective it’s barren. I’ve got things to do, a wedding to plan, Bible study to administrate, life. It’s been 2+ years in this desert and I am ready to be done. So ready. So over it. I’ve seen every patch of dirt in this desert, walked every inch, stared at every rock.
To God, this middle is not the end, it is in fact the middle of His glorious work. He is in this, just as He was with Hezekiah. He hears my prayer, He sees my form. He knows, He directs, He loves, He cares. In this desert God has called me to write, to study, to pray. To encourage others, to connect with the lonely with His Word. I see wasteland, God sees fruit. I see barrenness, He sees faithful streams. I’m tired of the same ol’, same ol’. God says, “Get over it.”
Yes, being in the middle is, well, the middle. The finish line is not elusive, it’s just farther than anticipated. My timing is not God’s, my thoughts are not His; His will is perfect. Yes, get over it Kerry. God’s middle has great possibilities because every aspect of it includes His very presence.
How do I tap into that? Prayer. Like Hezekiah, and countless others, seeking God in the desert is the only answer. I’m learning the value of consistent prayer.
This is victory.
O Sovereign God, You are amazing. You know my beginning, my middle and my end. You are faithful, I can trust You. You are loving, kind, compassionate and gracious. Thank You for leading me, even into a desert at times, because with You, my desert can be beautiful. A time of growth, acceptance, trust, assurance. Yes, it is good to be with You here. AMEN
