“Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1 v 21-25)
At the same time as you are doing what you are doing, whether you are in success or struggling when perhaps the centre stage is the whole stage and you see no one else or nothing changing, remember this word: Meanwhile.
Meanwhile … the people were wondering … and Elizabeth was waiting and in her waiting she was being prepared for Zechariah. God was working in her womb, making her fertile for the very first time, waiting for her now dumb husband to come home to her.
You don’t see it all.
You are only part of God’s story not the other way round.
In His story He has many people and He moves them into place.
There are things happening right now that you do not even see or could possibly imagine.
Things are shifting, circumstances are changing for other people, preparations are taking place, do not give up hope.
One man was having an experience and meanwhile the people were waiting.
One couple had prayed for years and meanwhile God was waiting till they were past all possibility.
One man had forgotten about the prayers of old and meanwhile God was choosing him miraculously to enter the Holy of Holies.
One man performed his duty as all the previous priests had done and meanwhile God was sending Gabriel to him.
Which part of the meanwhile are you in? Where are you?
In the meanwhile you may feel isolated.
Elizabeth carried a miracle for 5 months in seclusion. Why?
Surely it was because she didn’t know how people would react. What would they say?
Perhaps it was herself who wondered whether she was able to carry the miracle to the fulfilment. Maybe she thought it would be best to not let people know, just in case.
So not only was her husband now silent, Elizabeth was now not seen. They were well and truly hidden.
In the meanwhile you may feel it is imperfect.
This may last the whole time of carrying the miracle.
Her husband was still mute, a sign to the miracle that unbelief and weakness needs to be silenced.
In the meanwhile you will be inspired.
The month after a young teenage family member came to see her. Her name was Mary and she had some news also! God will always have people in the latter stages of your miracle who will come to strengthen you.
Meanwhile is not just a waiting period. God is still moving.
Missions Paul 