In The Middle
Right now in this book called Jenni’s Life, I feel like I am in the middle of a chapter. I’ve started reading the book so I have been introduced to the main characters. The plot is established, the dialogue between the characters is flowing, and there are many more chapters I have yet to read. Let me summarize what has happened in the book so far. The main character, Jenni, has been married for four years now, but she is not a mom yet. She is in the middle of her twenties– not a teenager but also doesn’t feel like a full adult yet. Jenni has been teaching for a few years which makes her not a “first year teacher” but also not a “veteran” either. Jenni has been a Christian for several years now, but she is not where she wants to be in her walk with God. Her family is in the middle of transitioning through life after losing a loved one. She is in the middle. She is not at the beginning, but also not at the end.
I’ve heard it said that “you shouldn’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle” and “comparison is the thief of joy”. But what if my “middle” does not look like I thought it would at this point in my life? I feel behind when it comes to career successes. I thought I would have some children by now. My fitness goals are not where I wanted them to be by now.. Lately, I have been feeling stuck right in the middle.
The middle of the story is so important though. You can’t rush through it. Why? Because you will miss out on so much growth and opportunity to learn. Going back to the book analogy: if only the first and last chapters were ever read, the middle would be completely skipped over. Therefore, none of the character development would be seen. None of the ending would make sense. All of those pages packed full of adventures, lessons, challenges, blessings, and stories would not be experienced.
Maybe you have felt stuck in the middle before. Being in the middle of an argument between friends is hard to mediate. Having to be in the middle of your siblings in the back seat of the minivan is no fun. The middle of the day when the coffee has worn off and there’s still four hours left of work feels like eternity. It’s the middle of winter and you feel like you’re going crazy being cooped up in the cold, dark, dreary days of the season.Your parents are getting a divorce and now you find yourself in the middle of traveling back and forth for holidays. Where are you feeling stuck in the middle lately?
So how does the main character of the book called Jenni’s Life get “unstuck”? Jenni can either feel pity and sorry for herself about being in the middle, or she can make the most of those chapters. Taking each page of the book at the time, sometimes rereading/ self-assessing what the character is doing is necessary. It’s okay to bookmark the page. Maybe pause the story for a little while when it gets hard to read or the plot is boring. Just know that unless you pick up the book again and keep reading through the middle, you’ll never appreciate the ending as much. Can you imagine a book without a middle? How disappointing and confusing would that be?
What does the Bible have to say about feeling stuck in the “middle?” Here are some verses that may help.
Isaiah 43: 18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Philippians 4:12-13: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Hebrews 12:1-2: “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.”
Take some time to think about where you might be feeling stuck in the middle. Or maybe you don’t think of it as “stuck”, maybe you are enjoying this time of not the beginning and not the end. I pray that as I am reading through the beautiful story written by the greatest Author of all, I can slow down and appreciate the middle chapters.
“Dear God, thank you for writing my story. Thank you for the characters you have created and how unique each of their plots are. Help me to see how important You have written the main character to be. Thank you for the lessons learned in the middle of the book.”
~Amen
