I am up long before the sun most mornings and I have come to recognize a special time that exists right before the new day dawns. There is a moment in time, between the night and the day, when the darkness fades but the sky has not seen the first rays of the sun. The world is hushed and still. Birds have not begun their morning songs and yet the crickets have long since stopped their chirping. It is as if in that moment the world is paused – listening and waiting for something. There is a sense of anticipation in the air as all of creation is silent. And then, God whispers its name and the world awakens with a shout of joy!

I am in that moment of waiting -- the quiet time between the past and the future. And I see from the words some of my blogging friends have written, they are too. As I read their stories, I join them in thankfulness for what God has already brought us through. We are not in the valley but we have not all reached the mountain top. Even though the time in between is calm and often peaceful, it is not always easy. Because our human nature wants us to reach our destination and obtain our goals quickly, the time in between can be frustrating, as if we are on the edge of something great that is just beyond our reach. But, it is a necessary time, this moment in between, when God prepares us for what is to come. It is a time of listening and waiting for His whisper that is sure to come.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).

The time in between is when God teaches us patience and grows our trust in Him. It is a refining time when God continues His redeeming work in us. As we place our hope in Him and patiently wait for His voice, we can be sure that He will speak. His timing is always perfect. He alone knows when we are ready for the mountain top.

“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed” (Habakkuk 2:3).

As I wait, I am trusting Him with joyful anticipation. I know that this time in my life, just like the quiet moment before the dawn, is a vital time. I welcome His hand on me as he shapes and grows me, preparing me for what is to come. One day soon I know I’ll hear His whisper saying, “Awaken, it is time.”

Living for Him,

 




Join me this weekend over at Spiritual Sundays as more writers share their inspirational, heartfelt thoughts. 

21 Comments

  1. Oh, such a beautiful post. Joyful anticipation -- sounds like where I am. Not worrying about when and how -- just excitedly waiting for the next step.

    May your joy run over as you wait.
    Blessings,
    Pamela

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  2. Thank you for this precious vision of preparation! I needed to read it tonight as I am struggling to embrace my new life with all of it's uncertainty...yet, I know that GOD longs for me to walk in His Joy.
    Waiting wistfully with you~
    ((HUGS))

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  3. Joan, you described how I'm feeling that's for sure. The in between time can be so very challenging. However, it is a time that I am slowly learning to trust the Lord. His timing is always perfect. As a human being, I long for instant answers but then I wouldn't have to learn to depend on Him each and every moment.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  4. Oh, Joan! I loved this post. It so spoke to where I am right now. Feeling like I'm *on the brink* of something - and yet, feeling so frustrated because I can't figure out what the *something* is. And yet, I also am feeling a deep conviction that this in between time is working something big in my heart. Thank you for your words that so eloquently articulated what I'm feeling.

    The wonderful thing is this to me - that God speaks in the silent times, and the uncertain times - that His Love stands in the gap between the past and the future.

    He is preparing the hearts of so many of us to hear Him when He says, "Awaken!"

    Thank you for sharing this - it was beautiful.

    GOD BLESS!

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  5. wow Joan..what a gorgeous post.. and that is the 4th time this week that Is 30:12 has been in my sight ,, (think God is telling me something) I love the morning.Im up at 5 , not quite as early as you are though..but I love to go down to the beach in the morning and do my yoga, and its just me, God and the waves he created.. it is awesome..
    Great post.. have a blessed weekend..

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  6. Your words encouraged me today. The times of listening and waiting for His whisper can be times of great growth. His timing is perfect.

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  7. Joan:

    First of all a woman after my own heart - up before dawn!

    I can so relate to this post - feeling like I'm "in between" waiting for the next step, that God has something planned. I've had glimpses of the promise, but I'm patiently waiting for His timing.

    Such an encouraging post!

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  8. Just the words I needed today! "It is a necessary time, this moment in between, when God prepares us for what is to come." I have 8 days of waiting until a big change invades my life, one that is wonderful and challenging. I so much want to be completely prepared while wanting this waiting time to pass quickly! Thanks for your encouraging words.

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  9. I can identify with this. Even though I'm 74 years old, I look forward with anticipation to what God may do at any moment. Thank you for sharing your insight.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  10. Oh, Joan, your blog post is so powerful. You always know how to put things in perspective. The morning time is my favorite time of the day; I am up before the sun rises, and I have the peace I need for the day.

    Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.

    Love & peace,
    Iris

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  11. Dear Sister:

    You know I'm not fully awake in the early hours as you are (and not as chipper!) But you've put some things out there for me to think about: when do the birds begin their morning song? when do the frogs cease croaking? Your words provoke me to fine tune my listening - and trust that God is using these fine moments "in between" to continue cultivating the person I am! Love ya! Bonita

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  12. Wow! What an excellent post. Great insight. Thank you for posting. Have a great weekend.

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  13. What a beautiful post! I love the morning,it's my favorite time of the day.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  14. What a lovely post! I walk most mornings and the little pond we walk around is full of silly birds! Otherwise the quiet is a good time to pray! Thank you for sharing and reminding everyone to stop and slow down! Enjoy your week. Anne

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  15. Well said, Joan. I love the picture of God awakening creation by calling it's name and creation responding with it's beautiful praises through sounds and displays of splendor.

    It's that hope that just around the corner lies the next good thing that keeps me alive with anticipation. I know God to always be faithful and generous in love and mercy. No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Blameless only because of the sacrifice of Jesus, but what a privilege to be included in his love.
    Have a great week!
    Ruth

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  16. So glad to have found your site. I love your heart for God and passion to spend time with Him. So beautiful!

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  17. "There is a moment in time, between the night and the day, when the darkness fades but the sky has not seen the first rays of the sun."

    I can hear it, feel it, see it, and taste it--that pregnant pause before dawn... standing on the edge of increase!

    Beautifully penned, Joan.

    peace~elaine

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  18. I am with you. Waiting with expectation and I will say it's not easy to be patient. Thank you for penning this post. Happy summer!

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  19. Hi Joan, I'm Lynn and this is my first time on SS. I was going thru this "between time" up until a few weeks ago when I took a blogging break to spend much time with HIM seeking his will in my recently retired life I share with my hubby. I am now in the "pruning" time with Him. How long this will last, I have no clue, but I joyfully have opened my heart to this pruning time. It will be exciting to see what He has planned for me. I hope to get to know you better as the weeks go by. Your blog is excellent. May your week be blessed.

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  20. Such a beautiful post, and those scriptures! Thank you for sharing such beautiful words of encouragement, no matter the season we are in God is doing a mighty work.

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  21. what a beautiful post! Your writing is so descriptive! Patience is not one of my strongest virtues!! lol...I am working on it.
    Thank you for the visit the other day...I was so glad to meet you...I enjoy your sister's blog...and now am going to enjoy being a follower of yours too!

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