Life In The Middle

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” — Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

We love beginnings—new jobs, fresh starts, answered prayers. We look forward to endings—testimonies, breakthroughs, miracles. But most of life happens in the middle.The middle is where faith gets tested, patience stretched, and trust either deepens or withers.

It’s the space between “God said” and “God did.” It’s the desert between Egypt and the Promised Land. It’s the boat ride between Jesus saying “go to the other side” and Him calming the storm.It’s in the middle where we’re tempted to give up, settle, or forget the promise. But it’s also in the middle where character is formed. Where intimacy with God deepens. Where dependence becomes more than a concept—it becomes our reality.

Paul knew what it meant to live in the middle—striving toward the goal, not yet there, but pressing on. Not discouraged by the process, but shaped by it.

Maybe you’re in the middle right now. Don’t rush it. Don’t despise it. God does some of His deepest work there.

A Prayer:Lord, help me not to fear the middle places in my life. Strengthen me when the wait is long, when clarity is missing, or when my strength feels small. Remind me that You are with me not just at the beginning or the end—but every step in between. Teach me to trust You in the middle. Amen.