March 19

Written by Bill Grandi on March 19th, 2019

My title is Forging Ahead vs Caught in the Middle

There are many things that are true and I know that. There are also things I’m sure of, two of them which are these:

  1. No one likes to wait.
  2. No one likes to get caught in the middle.

When it comes to relationships no one likes to be the one “caught in the middle.” It is a miserable place to be. When I was in college I liked a girl. Her name was Jane Doe (name changed to protect the innocent. 🙂 ) But John also liked Jane and our freshman year found them together. She became confused (least that is what I wanted to tell myself) and ran to me. For 2-3 weeks I was in bliss, except for the fractured relationship with John. After 2 or 3 weeks she went back to John, leaving me crushed. I wrote a letter to my dad seeking advice and he responded with a wise perspective. He gave the example of a chess game and how the pawn is often used as bait to draw out the other player’s move. He then told me I was Jane’s pawn, used by her to get John’s attention. Lesson learned. (We repaired our friendship and found other women who became our wives). 🙂

I was the man in the middle. In our spiritual life, being caught in the middle often means waiting. Waiting on God to act while we are unsure of what to do. It’s like it’s “here is the past event.” Over here is God’s desire. And I’m stuck in the middle. My modus operandi has often been not to wait but forge ahead. B.A.D. M.O.V.E. No matter who irritating and disconcerting and out-of-control I feel my life is, waiting on God is the best thing. I’m thinking (and you are welcome to disagree) that being caught in the middle for a period of time might be the wise thing. 

“Father, if being caught in the middle is where you want me to be then please give me the patience to wait for You. Help me not to rush ahead or be like a bull in a China shop causing irreparable damage. Help me to wait if I find myself caught in the middle.”

 

8 Comments so far ↓

  1. Pam says:

    Ooooo, excellent advice, Bill. Waiting is sooooo difficult but is often the wisest “non-move” we can make.

  2. Ryan S. says:

    Stuck in the wait… is often exactly where I need to be. Waiting doesn’t have to mean idle and really shouldn’t… waiting means preparing, training, expecting.
    I am thankful for the off season!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I like the “off season” comment Ryan. I’d like to think that waiting is preparation for the season to come.

  3. Waiting is not fun, Bill, I totally agree, but sometimes, it’s the only option open to us. I’ve learned this the hard way, believe me. And thankfully, those lessons have encouraged me to be content in the wait, knowing God will act in His good time.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      No it isn’t fun Martha but so worth the wait if we do. There are lessons to be learned along the way. Sounds like you are trying to learn them.

  4. floyd samons says:

    I agree, Bill. I’ve learned this lesson so often in life that you’d think I’d have it dialed in by now.

    Waiting is wisdom… I need more of.