Stuck in the Middle

I was reflecting this past week about life overall, when a game of pick-up futbol (soccer) here in Addis caught my attention.  A little guy was in the middle of his friends and they were running circles around him.  He could not get the ball…as hard as he tried.

And I had the thought…it’s no fun being “stuck in the middle.”

I began thinking again about life overall and those “in between” places that seem to be so challenging. 

It seems I’ve written about these places before.  When you’re “in between” jobs or relationships. 

When you’re “stuck in the middle” between fitness levels, or maybe hair styles, or dress/pant sizes. 

Or maybe when you’re between sickness or addiction and a full recovery. 

Those “in between” times are always humbling. 

This “stuck in the middle time” is like being in a hallway of sorts.  You haven’t arrived to the next place yet.  Maybe no doors are visible or maybe none are open. 

And really “the game” seems largely out of your control. It’s up to the doctor’s report or an open door.  Someone has to pass you a chance or maybe just time has to pass in general. 

Being “stuck” in the middle can be frustrating and downright exhausting. 

What can you do when you’re “stuck in the middle”?

I was thinking of my Dad who in the past year…has seemed to get into a “middle” place in his health.  His back and neck and legs began doing weird things…and he’s been to doctors numerous times to tell him how to manage or if a cure is even possible.  I know it’s been tiring and frustrating. But what has amazed me about my Dad has been his response.  Basically his whole mobility has been affected.  And for my Dad who loves to walk and golf and serve and shake the hands of little people…it has been a huge challenge. 

My Dad and Mom...loving on some of the little people from our church

So, how has my Dad responded? Remarkably- he has smiled and has kept good humor!!!

He has gotten himself some different canes and walking sticks to help him.  At church, he’s gotten a chair to sit on so he can still shake the hands of the little kids and their parents going to classes.   

That is amazing and inspiring “stuck in the middle” activity!!!!  I’m so proud of my Dad! He’s my hero!

Here my Dad is praying for kids as they prepare to go back to school

I think of others who have been “stuck in the middle” of some sort.  Nelson Mandela is a hero on this continent.  He was stuck in prison for 27 years.  That’s a long stuck.  

What did he do? He remained active!  He read books, got in shape physically, even earned a degree!

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned  for 27 years. As a black political prisoner, he received the lowest level of treatment. However, he was able to earn a Bachelor of Law degree through a University of London correspondence program while incarcerated.

 Another article about him said this…

The Prisoner...Nelson Mandela…was confined to a small cell, the floor was his bed, and he used a bucket for a toilet.  He was forced to do hard labor in a quarry. He was allowed one visitor a year for 30 minutes. He could write and receive one letter every six months. But Robben Island became the crucible which transformed him. Through his intelligence, charm and dignified defiance, Mandela eventually bent even the most brutal prison officials to his will, assumed leadership over his jailed comrades and became the master of his own prison. He emerged from it the mature leader who would fight and win the great political battles that would create a new democratic South Africa.

WOW!

I think of others who were in some “stuck in the middle places.”

I think of Joseph in the Bible who was sold into slavery by his brothers.  He became a slave-servant, even a prisoner.  But God was with Him….and would use him to save his family and Egypt during seven years of famine.

Genesis 39:1-6; 20-23; Genesis 50:19-20

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,  Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.

…while Joseph was in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.  So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.  The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Do not be afraid, Joseph said to his brothers. you intended to harm me, but God intended it for the good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

I think of Paul and Silas in prison.  How did they respond to getting stuck?

Acts 16:22-25

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.  After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

What did Peter do when he and the disciples were stuck in the storm?

Matthew 14:24-29

…the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”   “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

WOW.  Great things can happen in that “stuck in the middle time.” 

And I think many people are in that waiting time…are in that stuck place for the next door to open or diagnosis to be revealed or relationship to happen. 

And really all of us are really “in between” here and home with God…

Romans 8:18-21

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that  the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.  We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently...

So what can we do while we wait?

I believe there are many things we can do.  Some key things are:

PRAY

PRAISE/WORSHIP

PREPARE

SERVE

Check out these verses…

1 Thessalonians 5:17

pray continually

Psalm 96:1-10

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name…

Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns…

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Timothy 4:7-8

…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Ephesians 6:7

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord…

Matthew 20:26-28

whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

As we wait in the hallways…may our song be loud and our faith be firm and our testimony and light be evident…

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

And what I’ve realized is that some of the greatest ministry that you can do is in the hallways of your life.

When you’re “stuck in the middle”- you run into others stuck too. And God can use you greatly.

God can also do His greatest molding-teaching in you when you’re stuck in the middle.  There’s an almost desperation present in you that can lead to humility and a dependency and trust that can be formed in that “middle time.”

So fear not- being stuck in the middle! God has plan, a big plan for your good!!!!!

Onward with you!

Praises/Prayer Requests

-A big praise that my Ethiopian work permit and residence visa both were renewed successfully!

-A big praise for my friend Debelle’s wife- who seems to be improving more and more and is now out of the hospital.

-My Dad finally received a diagnosis for the new pain he’s been feeling in his back.  Him and my Mom are still researching his options. Please continue to pray for his healing and the best steps forward.

-Our current school semester is winding down.  Please pray for staff and students as we finish the semester and go into final exams- that all will go well.

-Please continue to pray for my sister’s new schedule- in the Czech Republic. She’s added some new things to her schedule this year, one new thing is teaching at a high school. Pray for her health, courage, and relationship-building.

-Please pray for my schedule after February- that God’s perfect plan unfolds for how I can best serve.

-Pray for many people serving international during this time and those serving soon- that God will protect and give courage.  (a special prayer for my friend Daniel Bachman serving at Tenwik Hospital in Kenya, excited to see him visit here at the end of February)

-Please pray for the writing of my first book, that God will help me make time to finish it