In-between Times
Join Sammy on a journey from the ‘now’ to the ‘not yet’ as she explores how we live in an in-between world and points to the hope that we have.
In-between. I love how even the word hints at not one thing or another... it’s like the hyphen is shouting, ‘I can’t decide!’
It’s March. (Already?!) March feels like an in-between month to me. We’re no longer in the depths of winter, we know spring is coming, but it’s not here yet. September is another in-between month, in fact, I think it’s worse than March - in September we’ve said farewell to summer and are bracing ourselves for the cold, wet and darker days.
I like certainty. I love a plan and so I find in-between times tricky to navigate. The weather is unpredictable during these in-between months, so much so that this planner, (and keen clothes shopper), never knows what to wear!
Back in March 2018, we were modelling the latest hat, scarf and gloves in freezing temperatures, thanks to the Beast from the East! But two years later, in the March Lockdown of 2020, we were stripping off our winter woollies, and instead, enjoying a taste of summer!
It’s not just March…or even September. I don’t know about you, but to me, the current time we live in, feels ‘in-between’. I know that as Christians we have long acknowledged these in-between times. We live in-between the now and the not yet. In a time when we know the outcome, that the recreation and restoration of all is assured… but it’s not here yet. We celebrate what Jesus has already achieved on the cross and see glimpses of God putting things right today, but we still live in a broken world and long for Jesus to return and complete what he started.
When I’m trying to explain this to children, I compare it to a football match. One team are winning 10-0 with three minutes of injury time to play. It’s pretty clear which team is going to win the game – there’s no comeback after conceding 10 goals! But nevertheless, the remaining time still has to be played out. I go on to explain that God is playing out time because he wants as many people as possible to have the chance to follow him.
We are not where we were, but we are not yet where we want to be. So how do we live as Christians in these in-between times? For me, the challenge is to see with eyes of faith rather than fear, like courageous Caleb reporting back to the grumbling Israelites.
We need to look beyond the turbulence of now and spot what God might be doing through it and beyond it, as we navigate these in-between times. We need to boldly share Jesus with those around us, remembering that God is with us now and goes before us in the not-yet. So as we head towards spring and Easter, there are some great opportunities to do just that...
The Father's Love Letter (originally written as a sermon by Barry Adams) is a selection of verses from the Bible about Father God’s love for his creation and his children. These verses are woven together in the form of a letter written from God to his children, and there’s even a beautiful animation to go alongside the letter. We want every home and individual in the UK to know that they are a beloved child of God, so we are making The Fathers Love Letter FREE! All you need to do is head over to the Hope Together Shop, buy 1 pack for 21p (to cover transaction costs), and then get unlimited copies for free!
Ever wondered what a pilgrimage is all about? Well, fuelled by prayer and reflection, pilgrimage takes us to a place of greater understanding of ourselves, how we connect with people, places and with God. Try Pilgrimage is an invitation to experience a different sort of journey, whether as an individual or in a group, to see who or what you meet ‘on the road’. A pilgrimage can be on foot, by bike, bus and even in a chair! If you’ve never tried pilgrimage before and want a gentle introduction, head over to the Try Pilgrimage website where there are free to download resources and videos to watch that will guide you.
Another journey we often embark upon at this time of year is the journey to the resurrected Jesus, who is ALIVE today! The ALIVE series includes five beautifully produced short films which tell the stories of some of the people who encountered Jesus after his resurrection. People like Mary who experienced love; the disciples on the road to Emmaus who had hope restored to them; Thomas who needed peace; Peter who found freedom; and Paul who was given a new purpose. ALIVE shows how Jesus’ resurrection still meets all those needs for us today. With discussion material for small groups, resources for children, families and young people, a book that digs deeper; and even an ALIVE stencil to chalk the streets in your neighbourhood... ALIVE really can transform lives and help people know Jesus for themselves.
The in-between times might seem like a tricky concept to communicate to young children, but they don’t need to miss out, as ‘Jesus Fixes Things’ and ‘In-Between Times’ are available from the Hope Shop. Part of the ‘God’s Big Story’ series, these books tell stories (with the help of Happyland Toys) through the lens of the big story of the Bible. With free animations, action songs, all age church resources and toddler group resources, they explain how Jesus fixed the broken world at Easter, and explores the in-between time after Jesus came back to life, before he went back to Father God in heaven.
So, as I draw this blog to an end, in these ‘in-between’ times, let’s be bold like Caleb, grasping the hope that we have in Jesus, trusting that the Holy Spirit is doing a new thing. And finally, with the ALIVE God with us right here, right now, let’s do life as people of the not yet!
Sammy Jordan, 01/03/2025