In the Hallway
Have you ever been in the hallway? Not the kind you find in your home, workplace, or any other building; instead, the type where it seems like you’re waiting and waiting and waiting, and nothing seems to be happening. You’re trying to find your way, but you still feel lost.
I’ve been there too.
Most of us would agree that there are times we feel lost or stuck. Times we feel as if what we are searching for is never coming, or the discernment never arrives in “our timing” for a specific decision to be made. That everyone else has X, Y, and Z, so what is wrong with me? I am sure this happens to all of us. None of us is immune to comparison or the occasional self-pity party.
I recently had a conversation with a spiritual mentor, and we discussed hallways, about handling them with grace and trusting God no matter what. It’s easier said than done.
There’s a quote that reads: Until God opens the next door, praise Him in the hallway.
I’ve felt many hallway periods in my life so far, and I’m almost confident there will be more. They aren’t delightful times, but I know God has a plan for me to learn in the midst of them—death, grief, sickness, change, relocation, loss, etc. There are many more that could be listed - financial strain, marriage difficulties, changes in relationships, and the ever-popular topic nowadays, a global pandemic.
While I feel like I’m waiting for certain things in life right now, I want to be diligent about how I praise God. Am I praising Him? Am I centering myself in His Word? Do I talk to Him regularly? I think a lot of our weight in the waiting comes with how we are waiting. What is our perspective? What are our actions? What vibe do we give off?
I’m a firm believer that we cannot rush God along in any decision or process. I’ve found out for myself that the more I rush things or try to take matters into my own hands, the more discombobulated everything becomes, and honestly, the more of a mess I find myself in. Having the peace to wait is a big deal.
How do we do it? What does it look like?
For me, I have found strength in my relationship with God. With centering myself in His Word. Choosing to spend time reading the Bible is a choice. I know it can seem like a daunting task, but picking a place to start and just allowing God to be present. As I’ve walked through tough times in my life, I have come to realize that God doesn’t go anywhere. It is often me who chooses to build a wall, push Him away, or neglect to spend time with Him or go to Him in prayer.
God wants what is best for you, just like He does for me. Our world so often prides itself on “quick fixes” or “self-help books” that claim to have the answers to life and a snap-your-finger method to get your life back on track. Diets and exercise plans will fail without our commitment to follow through. Then we are left with another layer of defeat, often making us too nervous to branch out again.
In my life, God is my one true constant. My performance does not measure his love for me. His love for me is unconditional and faithful. I believe God can bring people into our lives who demonstrate His love for us - I see it in my husband, my family, and my closest friends. The same can very well be true for you.
I’m not a patient person. I know my weaknesses. I also know that, being human, I often dislike pain or discomfort, so walking through a tough time is not something I particularly enjoy doing. I have come to learn that the God we serve is just and Holy. Always working things for our best and ultimately for His Glory. So today, if you are in a hallway, how are you waiting? Choose to stay with your eyes on God and your heart attuned to His leading. Doing so will never steer you wrong.
Hebrews 12:1-2 - NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
