I think we’re always in the middle. For even our beginnings were launched from somewhere else, and our endings lead us to something new. When we realize we are in the middle – between one thing and the next – we often refer to this as “in between” as if we were nowhere at the present moment. But even then, we are still making choices, changing, growing, shaped by our past as we prepare for our future. Being “in between” sounds like we are being held in suspended animation. But being in the middle reminds us that we are in a place of action. We are living life.
The middle is a difficult place to be. Humanity in general is task oriented. We like to achieve things. We like closure. The middle is a place that lacks the excitement and anticipation of the beginning and the satisfaction – and sometimes the pain – of endings. But just as we live most of our liturgical life in Ordinary Time, we live most of our life in the middle.
How then, do we not treat our seemingly “in between” times as merely times to tread water or (im)patiently wait to pass?
The challenge of living in the middle is to embrace our connectedness. We carry the baton in the middle of a relay race. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. The different moments and seasons of our life connect to form the whole. In the same way, we contribute to our families and our communities offering ourselves knowing that others passed the baton to us just as we will pass it on to someone else.
The challenge of living in the middle is to embrace our connectedness. We carry the baton in the middle of a relay race. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. #faith #discipleship Click To TweetThe truly important things of life and faith are never accomplished by one person or one lifetime. We simply add our brushstrokes to the masterpiece. Or as Paul said, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NRSV)
If we choose, the middle is a beautiful place to live. It allows us to lay down the burden of carrying it all ourselves and share both the responsibility and the joy with others. The middle means that we are not running the race on our own but as part of a team. Living in the middle is the acceptance of our own mortality and an act of trust in our sovereign God, who alone is the Alpha and the Omega.
Today, may we rejoice in middle as the place where we are held in the bosom of our loving God. A place of faithfulness and promise that strengthens us to live fully – until we pass the baton to someone else.
The truly important things of life and faith are never accomplished by one person or one lifetime. We simply add our brushstrokes to the masterpiece. #faith #discipleship Click To Tweet
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Every Friday is a five-minute free write on the word of the today. You can read more Five-Minute Friday posts here.
I really like your post. In the middle, one helps the team and more of the pressure rests with the home stretch. We still can’t drop the baton.
You’re right, we still have to run our leg of the race well.
Great post! It makes such a difference to remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, and that verse from 1 Corinthians is one of my favourites. It’s encouraging to know that we will understand the full story one day.
Yes, one day all will be complete.
Not sure what happened, but my comment seems to have vanished into the ether…so at risk of looking stupid I’ll try again…apologies if it turns up twice.
It’s a muddle in the middle,
in-laws rant and neighbours rave,
kitties yowl and doggies piddle,
and over yonder is my grave.
Yesterday, it seems so close,
and bright tomorrow far away,
how on earth does one propose
to be centered in the day?
Grace is free for the asking
if we just put on the yoke
that protects from multi-tasking,
offering the Perfect Hope.
As the days build into years
nothing ‘Christ’ can end in tears.
WordPress is odd like that sometimes. Thanks for the poem Andrew.
It’s a muddle in the middle,
in-laws rant and neighbours rave,
kitties yowl and doggies piddle,
and over yonder is my grave.
Yesterday, it seems so close,
and bright tomorrow far away,
how on earth does one propose
to be centered in the day?
Grace is free for the asking
if we just put on the yoke
that protects from multi-tasking,
offering the Perfect Hope.
As the days build into years
nothing ‘Christ’ can end in tears.
I like the word picture you use of a relay race. Sharing the responsibility and joy with a team. Wise words here. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for visiting and your comments. Peace.