The Now and The Not Yet: How to Embrace Where You Are on the Way to Where You Are Going

But I’m caught in between
The now and the not yet;
Sometimes it seems like
Forever and ever,
That I’ve been reaching to be
All that I am,
But I’m only a few steps nearer,
Yet I’m nearer….

I’ve always loved this song. And I’m not just saying this because Amy Grant will be visiting us here at Grace for Moms later this month {squee!}. I suppose it’s because I’ve always felt stuck somewhere between “now” and “then”.  And I guess, in a way, I have been. We all are.

No matter where we are, we are between “now” and “then”. We are somewhere on our way to where we are going. This thought can be daunting or it can be exciting.

I’m one who is always looking towards what’s next. It’s one of the reasons I loathe exercising. Counting the minutes seconds until my workout session is over, I’m thinking about how.much.longer.I.must.run {or cycle, or Zumba}. I can’t stand flat ironing my hair because I just want to be on to the next thing. I breeze through one holiday looking towards the next. And just when I’ve settled into summer, having gotten the kids’ wardrobes complete and organized, I start thinking about shopping for fall.

It never ends. This discontent with where we are on the way to where we want to be. And it’s not just seasonal clothes for some of us. It’s life. It’s assignments and callings. It’s projects and life-management.

Being a mom has opened my eyes to the danger of this cycle. They always tell you to “slow down and soak it up because it will go by so fast.” And they aren’t kidding. I loved Boothe’s reminder last week about slowing down. It’s so true of motherhood and life. My little girl is heading to kindergarten in 38 days {but who’s counting?}. I truly want to soak up every moment of this summer with her – the last one she’ll ever have carefree. . .before she knows what’s coming with school. . .the future. I want to have fun and embrace the season we are in because we will never be here again.

And with kids, it’s somewhat easy to realize this and do it, even if you have to remind yourself or force yourself.

But with the rest of life – our jobs, finances, relationships, callings, dreams – it’s so much harder to know how to navigate the journey between the now and the not yet. Partly {or maybe mostly} because we don’t know how long we’ll be on the ride.

Last year as I wrote a book for new moms, I was struck by the idea of baby’s first year being a pilgrimage. I encouraged moms with this verse,

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5

Some versions read on to say,

they will go from strength to strength. . .

This revelation came to mean much to me personally. If you are a new mom, experienced mom, never-plan-t0-be-a-mom, or hold the dream of motherhood still within your heart – this truth remains.

But how do we live it out? How do we set our heart on the pilgrimage?

Practice Gratitude – I don’t mean simply, be thankful. I mean. . .practice the art of gratitude. Whether you keep a 1000 gifts journal or speak your blessings out loud daily. . .thank the Lord in a tangible way for where you are, right now.

Be Faithful – Don’t check out of the now as you dream about the not yet. Finish the work he’s given you. Remain faithful to the task in front of you. For moms, this is about seasons. Be faithful in the little things such as dirty diapers and endless laundry. Do it willingly and joyfully. For the working mom who longs to be at home, this means joyfully embracing the role you have outside your home. Thanking him daily for its provision. For the woman who longs to be a mom, this means trusting him for his perfect timing and faithfully fighting in the spirit for your future family.

Reach – Being content with the now does not mean we don’t reach forward to the future. Ask him what he would have you do daily towards the next season. . .the dream you are working towards. Just be sure to fulfill your current responsibilities first.

When we cast aside the “now” in order to reach for the “not yet”, we throw his will out of balance.

Pursue Peace – Fight for it if you have to. The root issue of discontent is lack of peace. An anxious heart that is looking towards what’s next is not at peace. When we allow peace to reign in our hearts and minds, we will find rest where we are, even if we are moving forward.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

It’s normal to long for more than we are experiencing at any given moment. It’s part of who he’s made us as soul-filled beings living in a place we can’t call Home. Still, we must access the grace available to help us navigate our pilgrimage and experience the fullness of every season – both now and not yet.

Do you feel stuck between the “now” and the “not yet”? What has the Lord been teaching you about navigating your own pilgrimage?

{Photo Credit}