I received this picture from my Aunt Carol (actually, she’s not really my aunt, but you don’t want me to explain that today). I’ve been drawn back to it many times over the last several weeks. She lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and was evacuated due to the wildfires. The picture seemed to connect with this phrase that I keep hearing. Have you heard the phrase? Or something like it? We’re living in the “now and not yet”. It’s been on repeat in my thoughts in addition to being mentioned countless times in sermons, podcasts, and other avenues. But what does it actually mean?
There’s a strange tension that I find most days. You might be familiar with it as well. I’m annoyingly optimistic and cheerful in general. It takes no effort. It’s just how God made me. I honestly believe that. Smiling is my favorite! (Look at me using movie quotes in this blog! Grant and Kenny would be so proud!) I find a lot of joy in life pretty easily. But that often collides abruptly with daily living. You know what I’m talking about. It could be something that’s annoying like road construction that you didn’t allow time for or the one thing you went to Kroger for that of course is out of stock. It might be an inconvenience like the pharmacy not having your prescription ready or the drive-thru forgetting to put napkins in your bag. Those things can certainly get my undies all wadded up. But they aren’t the end of the world.
On the other hand, we’re often navigating things that DO seem to feel like the end of the world (or at least the world as we know it). The phone call that there’s been an accident; it’s not looking good. Or the knock at the door; it’s the sheriff’s department. Maybe sitting in the exam room waiting for the doctor to come in and make sense of the lab results or the scans. What about an election that seems to leave you shaking your head? As our days unfold before us we’re stuck with trying to understand what it all means; to make it all make sense. But it’s hard, isn’t it?
There have been many times in my life that I figuratively hit the pause button. Hold on. What’s happening? I need to replay that scene, because I didn’t see this coming. Things were sailing along so smoothly. Work was good. Everything at home seemed to mostly be in harmony. There’s a roof over my head and plenty of food in the pantry. I was just driving down the road jamming to my favorite tunes. And now this? Haven’t I been “good enough”? I really just don’t understand what’s happening here. Am I seriously making an appointment with our attorney to make sure “affairs are in order”? How do I even do that?
Whether it was the loss of a family member unexpectedly (Michael, Dad, Grandpa Keith, Dillon, etc.), hearing the word cancer (twice), letting my son sit in jail (again), or a host of other trials, I’m familiar with now and not yet. I’m living in the now and not yet. Each day that I wake up, I’m so grateful that God’s given me another day. Now is another day to be obedient to what He’s called me to do. Now is another day to be a witness for Jesus to this lost and dying world. Now is another day to be hopeful and look forward to the not yet. A new heaven and a new earth is the not yet. It’s promised, but it’s not ours yet. No crying is coming, but not yet. No death is so close, but not yet. No sickness. No mourning. No drought. No flood. No fires. No bad things. They’re coming, but not quite yet. That’s the tension. I can feel it coming. Some days I can almost see it. But in the snap of a finger, it feels so very far away.
Friends, don’t be swallowed up by life. It’s a delicate dance some days and a wild party the next. Jesus came to live in that tension with us. He literally descended. He left our not yet to be with us in the now. I don’t know about you, but that blows my mind. With Jesus beside me I don’t need to worry about the now. I just get to look forward to the not yet.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ~ “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days……”