The Soul at Rest
  • Blog
  • Christmas Devotionals
  • Website
  • books
  • Soul at Rest Book
  • Author
  • Contact
  • Season of Uncertainty
  • Resources

resources for your journey with jesus

Tricia mccary rhodes

Sabbatum Sanctum--Living the 'inbetween'

4/15/2017

5 Comments

 
Picture
It is quiet here this morning.  Joe has taken the grandboys fishing and I am getting ready to rev up the preparations for our big celebration—26 plus friends and family—for Easter brunch after church tomorrow.  But for now, I sit in the quiet, pondering those hours inbetween, that drawn-out day when no one quite knew what was to come, when Jesus was no longer in the tomb, but had not yet shown up to shock the world with His presence and shower humanity with resurrection hope.

I feel like I know these inbetween seasons so well… these times when one thing has ended, but something else hasn’t yet begun, when the old has been sucked away, but the new has not yet dawned with its expectant promise.  

The inbetween is, for me, the hardest of all—when a hole in my heart waits to be filled, when an empty tomb reminds me that my future hangs in the balance.  I’m living in the vortex of one right now, and not a day goes by that I don’t wait in silence before the Lord, wondering what will unfold…and when…and how.  Anxiety threatens my peace, fear assaults my steadfast resolve.

I read a story once of a trapeze artist who said that the most agonizing moment in every show is when they have let go of one bar, but haven’t yet taken hold of the next.   There, suspended in midair, they know nothing but the beating of their own hearts.

This, I think, is what this Sabbatum Sanctum, this suspension between crucifixion and resurrection represents for us.  The inbetween​...hanging midair with only the sound of our own heartbeat. Through the centuries, the church has labeled this day many things—Holy Saturday, Black Saturday, and the Great Sabbath.  My personal favorite is just Easter Eve, the reminder that the inbetween I am living, though it can feel as if it will never end, will one day face the dawning of resurrection light.  It always has.  This is my hope. 
Picture

In case you missed it: kandi pfieffer and i talk about what we love about jesus in our final lent live conversation. 

5 Comments
Sharon link
4/15/2017 09:09:34 am

Thank you for this affirming word. I woke this morning with this feeling of numb. I began seeking the Lord before I let my feet touch the floor. I also began looking at circumstances but was quickened to turn my face back to the Lord. I said Lord I feel like I'm in a time warp. My heart began to sing of who Jesus is to me and promises rose up and His presence was over ruling all. He is in the in between and see's it already complete. He's bring resurrection life to what in my natural eyes seems dead. Praise our risen Lord bring everlasting life to all.

Reply
Tricia Rhodes link
4/20/2017 08:42:28 am

Sharon, Thanks for sharing so vulnerably and faith-filled. It is surely an ongoing discipline to lift our eyes to the heavens from whence our help always comes. Sounds like you've learned this well. Bless you during this "inbetween" time.

Reply
Mary Sue
4/16/2017 05:20:00 am

This is deeply comforting today (Easter morning)! I rejoice in knowing my Savior lives! Yet I am also in the vortex of "inbetween". We left our beloved church and seek another. Life is suspended - activities that held so much meaning are over, a spiritual family disconnected. Yet my personal prayer life has become richer, deeper, more dependent upon and connected to God. There is another "in between" as our young son struggles to get his business started. Yet I am deeply certain of God's perfect provision for him as he waits and works. Yes, Jesus is with us intimately in the "betweens", and I am learning to listen to see what He is teaching me and those in my life who are also "in between". Praise God for His faithfulness!

Reply
Tricia Rhodes link
4/20/2017 08:43:54 am

Hi Mary Sue,
I feel your sadness at this inbetween time and yet it is so encouraging to hear how God is working deeper into your soul and heart to draw you to himself and make you more dependent. I believe we will look back from eternity and see that this is where the "gold" was made beautiful in our hearts. Love you!

Reply
suzy
4/20/2017 01:59:26 pm

Your words about the hole in your heart waiting to be filled touched me deeply.

I have a son, a very loved son, who committed a crime and is now in prison. I feel like I live in the in-between, waiting (and it will be a long wait) to see him free, to be able to eat a meal with him. His absence in our lives leaves that hole in my heart. Oh, we see him, we talk on the phone . .but it's different than being with him.

I have asked God, many times to bring healing and wholeness . .but He asks me to wait, to trust Him with the process. And so, I try.

I celebrate the grace of the Resurrection, knowing how God's heart had that hole, that emptiness, that lack of completeness, as He waited to be reunited with us. I am so grateful that one day I will be complete - when I am with Him.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Contact Tricia
    Contact Tricia here.

    Tricia McCary Rhodes

    Author of 7 books and pastor of Global Leadership Development at All Peoples Church in San Diego, Tricia specializes in helping others experience God’s presence through practicing soul-care.   

    Picture

    Archives

    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016

    RSS Feed

    CLICK HERE TO READ tRICIA'S BLOG POSTS PRIOR TO JUNE, 2016 (FORMER BLOG)
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
  • Christmas Devotionals
  • Website
  • books
  • Soul at Rest Book
  • Author
  • Contact
  • Season of Uncertainty
  • Resources