Have you ever felt like your life is just kind of stuck in the middle? Like you're not where you used to be, but you're definitely not where you thought you would be by now. Maybe you're just Waiting on what's next. Welcome to the Beautiful View Podcast, where we encourage you to look for opportunities in your life to see a beautiful view. I'm Candy. 

And I'm Paul. And that in-between space you're in, that's exactly what we're talking about today. 

Yeah, we're going to look at some biblical examples and how they connect to our lives right now. Because we talk a lot about Good Friday and Easter or Resurrection Sunday, but we don't talk much about Saturday. The day where nothing made sense. That's where we're going today, the in-betweens. 

So sit back, relax, and let's find the beautiful view together. 

Whether you're driving, sitting on your patio, or just trying to get through your day, we hope this gives you some perspective and maybe reminds you that you're not alone in it. 

Yes, because we're talking about living in the in-betweens. That space where you're not where you used to be, but you're not quite where you thought you'd be either. 

Yeah, and with Easter here, it's kind of the perfect time to talk about it, because the entire Easter story includes a huge in-between moment. 

I feel like we are constantly living in the in-between. 

Oh yeah. 

But it's not just a season we pass through. It's kind of exactly where life is supposed to happen. 

Yep, and if you've ever felt like you're waiting on what God's going to do next in your life, this is the episode for you. 

When you look at the Bible, there are so many in-between seasons. 

Yes, and some of them are not quick seasons either. Some of these are long, uncomfortable, confusing stretches. 

The one that stands out right now is that space between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, the day this episode actually releases. 

Yeah, and we know how the story ends, but the people that were living it, they didn't. Saturday had to just feel so silent and confusing and like, what just happened. 

Yes. 

Everything that they believed in just looked like it had fallen apart. The one that they had believed in, the one they had given up everything for, had just been crucified on a cross. 

And what gets me is there's no resolution in that moment. No clarity, just waiting. It's kind of a silent day, you know? It probably felt like God had gone quiet too, or worse, that he hadn't come through for them. We took a look at what is recorded in scripture about that Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, and there's surprisingly little. Yeah. The first thing to remember is that Saturday for them was the Sabbath. The crucifixion had to be completed and his body placed in the tomb before sundown on Friday. And it was also Passover. So many people from the surrounding country had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. 

Yeah. In Matthew, Saturday happens in verses 62 through 66 of chapter 27, with an attempt to secure the body of Jesus in the tomb. It's interesting that the leading priests and Pharisees thought that seeking cooperation with Pilate was something that was acceptable on the Sabbath. 

Of course, that's what you do on the Sabbath. In Mark, Saturday happens between chapters 15 and 16, and absolutely no words are recorded about that day. 

In Luke, Saturday happens in between chapters 23 and 24. The only words recorded are, so they rested as required by law. 

Gospel of John, Saturday happens between chapters 19 and 20. And again, no words recorded. Only after these events were words written. In Acts 2, Peter recalls the words of King David when he wrote, I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad and my tongue shouts his praises. My body rests in hope, for you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. 

And Peter goes on to say in verse 31 through 33, David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah's resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave. God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven at God's right hand. 

Jesus referred to his passage through death as being the same as Jonah's experience. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. Sunday would arrive, but on Saturday, Jesus was removed from life and was among the dead. 

When we get stuck in the in-between, it can feel like Sunday is never coming. It can feel like we're in the belly of a smelly fish with no light and no desire to see where we are even. But even in those moments, God is still working. Just sometimes not in ways we can see. And that's such a good reminder, because I think a lot of us assume if we don't see movement, nothing is happening. 

Yeah, but that's kind of the pattern that we see throughout scripture. Think of Abraham and Sarah waiting decades for a promise of a son. making them the parents of a great nation. 

Or Joseph, from a dream to a pit, to slavery, to prison, to leading an entire nation. That middle part didn't look anything like what God showed him in the end. 

Right. David, too. He's anointed king and then goes right back to normal life. And in fact, he ends up running for his life. Yeah. 

Being chosen didn't mean immediate clarity or fulfillment for David. 

The in-between wasn't a detour. It was part of the process. 

We all have our different versions of the in-betweens. It might look like constantly refreshing your e-mail. waiting on an answer, or sitting in your car before you go into work, or lying awake at night wondering what's next. I do all of these things. 

Me too. Yeah. Do you remember what it was like when we had made the decision as a family yeah. 

That was a big what's next in between moment. 

We were all so excited about it. And all of us were on board with it. Like we wanted to do it, but the fact was. 

We had a house. 

A house around us. 

We had to clean out everything in the house to sell the house. And where were we going to put the things because they wouldn't all fit in an RV. So. 

And at that point, we didn't even have an RV. 

No. 

So we had no idea. how much storage space we would have. So we kept just selling things, giving things away. And even when we finally did get the RV. It still took us a long time to get rid of the things we had accumulated because we ended up putting it all into storage units. 

Yep. And then every time we came back, we cleaned out the storage unit, threw a bunch of stuff away, and then reduced the size of the storage unit. 

Yeah. So we finally had like one of those little storage units. 

Yeah. And we got broken it. We got our storage unit got broken into two different ones. 

Yes. 

Two different times. 

Two different times. 

So the. 

Yeah, they helped us to thin things down a little bit. But even with that, it still took a really long time for us to get to the point, because you come up with this decision and you're like, let's all jump in a truck and an RV and hit the road. 

Yeah, it sounds very easy and stuff, but there are a lot of in-between things that have to happen. 

So I'm trying to remember, how long exactly did that all take. 

I feel like we put our house on the market maybe in February or March of that year, and then we closed on it in July. 

Quickly. 

So it was four or five months or so that we kind of downsized from like a four bedroom, 3 bath house. 

Yeah, to a 400 square foot RV. 

Yeah. You know, walk in the park. Easy. I can think of other in-between seasons that we have walked through. We are small business owners. 

Yes. 

So what about when business is slow? I feel like we used to really panic when things were a little bit slower. We definitely have... seasons where things are really, really busy and then other seasons when they're really, really slow. And I feel like those slow times are definitely in between seasons where we're just trying to piece things together. So how would you say that over the years we've kind of grown in that area and how we deal with those in between seasons? 

Well, I would say that what helps is getting older because we simply don't have the energy for that kind of worry anymore. 

That's true. 

And so we really did get into a good pattern of this lifestyle on the road when we would live day-to-day. So just do whatever you have to do that's right in front of you that day and don't worry about tomorrow. 

Yeah. 

And that's so easy to say and so difficult to do. 

Yeah. 

So I feel like from time to time, we have spells of time, seasons of time when we're good at that. And then other times where it's like, we got to do something. We got to do something here. 

I'm going to have to look for a job. We've been down that route. You have a job. 

Yes. So, but it's really important in those times just to do what's right in front of you because, you know, if you do that, there's usually something you can do. And whether that's getting in contact with a person that you've maybe not spoken to for a while and been, and you can be like, hey, have you got anything coming up you need my help with? So just the biggest thing is not to panic. 

Don't panic. 

Don't panic. And just sort of take it easy. And because No, it doesn't. 

And I think we've all found ourselves in times of waiting for clarity, whether that's a job or a decision that we're trying to make, or just trying to figure out what's next. Or relationships. Do you remember that? When we used to, you know, those in-betweens where you were in England, I was in Texas. 

You all can be together. 

But waiting for something to start or trying to heal. from something that ended. We've all been there at some point. 

Even in parenting, every stage feels like an in-between of what was and what's coming next. Right now is a really interesting time for us. Tyler is... approaching the end of his junior year. And we'll be transitioning to his final senior year. 

I know, we had a realization, I think it was last summer when he was at scout camp, that he literally has one more summer until he's graduated from high school. Like one more summer with the kid. 

Yeah, so Tyler is our youngest. And so that puts us really close to being empty nesters. And obviously, Tyler's going to need support to transition to what he's doing next. But that time is approaching for us. What do you think we are going to be doing when we reach that point of being empty nesters? 

I can tell you what I hope we're doing. 

Come on, tell me. 

I'm hoping that truck is running really good and it's hooked up to the RV. 

In the backyard. 

No, I'd like to do some more traveling. I'd like to get back out there with our kind of nomadic community. And you know, we have a lot of friends all over the country now. 

Yeah, at least for sections of the year. 

Yeah. 

And I'm working on it. The truck is, I'm making progress on the truck, probably not as fast as you were hoping, but I'm getting there. 

I know how to be realistic too. Sometimes even in our faith journey, we have seasons where God feels really quiet. That's the hardest part for me sometimes, just That feeling of, did I hear God wrong? Or why does it feel like nothing's happening? You know, we always feel like things should be happening. Or where are you, Lord? 

Yeah, you're just kind of looking for confirmation for what you believe he wants us to do next. What can be frustrating when you feel stuck in the in-between is when you start comparing yourself to other people who seem to have, you know, finally arrived where they were hoping to be. 

It doesn't help that all of our best friends are all retired. 

Yes, some of them just very recently turned retirees. So yeah, that can be frustrating too. 

Yeah, I have to admit, after living on the road for so long, I feel stuck A lot. 

Yeah. 

Like stuck. 

Yeah. 

And back then, you know, if we wanted to go somewhere, then we... hooked up the truck and we pulled the RV to wherever we wanted to go. 

Yeah. 

But sometimes what feels like being stuck is actually where the growth is happening, even when we can't see it. 

Yes. 

I have to keep telling myself that anyway. Do you remember the year that we were stuck in Texas for, we were in the RV, like we literally couldn't get out from where we were because of the big, muddy driveway on the outskirts. Like we could get the truck out if we drove like way far around the puddle, but we couldn't. 

Get the rig around. 

We could not get the RV out of there. And after a while, it was kind of just comical because do you remember what our word of the year was that year? It was be still. 

Be still. And it's like, really? Okay, yeah, we'll be still. 

So to say that we were a little frustrated is probably an understatement. We were kind of frustrated, but we also, so God always gives me the word of the year, and I never really know what that's going to entail for that year. But as time went on, it became more apparent. But we ended up hanging around way longer than we had planned to that year. But The reasoning, as it turned out, was we were there when my grandmother passed away. 

Yes. 

You were able to preach her funeral, which was really sweet. And you know what? 

And that little cemetery in Robbily? 

Yeah, that pretty little place. And you know what? Sometimes It's important to remember that the in-betweens are not about us at all. 

Yeah, and the temptation in seasons like that one is to force something. Like we want action. Like I was ready to hook up the RV, floor it, jump over the mud puddle and get out of there. 

We even talked about having gravel brought in or putting boards down or. 

Whatever we could do to get out of that. 

Yeah. 

But often when we try and push that door open, then we find out there's nothing on the other side. Or worse, we take a wrong turn that could sideline us from what we're supposed to do for months or even years. 

Yeah, we could have really screwed up our RV too. 

Well, yeah, that's true. And there's that. 

Yeah, there's that. We often try to distract ourselves from what is happening or try to control the outcome when really maybe the question is, What is God doing in me, around me, and through me while I am waiting? 

Yes. 

There's a verse that really fits this. Isaiah 40, verse 31. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow faint. 

And it doesn't say those who figure everything out or those who rush ahead. It says those who trust or wait on the Lord. 

Yes. 

It's less like sitting still and more like leaning in. 

Yeah, and trusting or waiting isn't a passive exercise. It carries the idea of expectation, dependence, and staying connected to God even when you don't have the answers yet. 

Yeah, it's trusting in Him no matter what the circumstances are. It's continuing to show up even when you don't see progress. And believing that His silence doesn't mean absence. 

Part of this trust, I believe, means that we have to be able to surrender to God the situations we have no control over. My natural inclination is to just keep turning these things over and over in my head, looking for answers and searching for a solution. But the truth is, we will never be able to figure out all of the nuances of the problem. Only God fully understands and only God has the complete ability to bring about the perfect solution. 

That is so true. It makes me think of Romans 8, 28. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. It's not just in the big moments, not just the breakthroughs, all things, even the confusing middle parts, especially these, honestly. 

Yes, because those are the moments that shape you the most. 

Friday kind of felt like the end when Jesus was crucified. And Sunday feels like the victory when he rose from the grave. 

I think we all want Sunday. 

Of course. 

But maybe we shouldn't overlook Saturday. Saturday is the part of the story that we would have wanted to skip. In fact, several gospel writers skipped it all together. Yeah, But honestly, Saturday is where we end up living most of the time. 

Just because it feels quiet doesn't mean that God isn't working. Saturday doesn't mean God is absent. It just means He's not finished yet. There was and is more to the story. 

And maybe that's a shift in perspective we would all do well to make. 

And that is today's beautiful view. 

Yes. 

Thank you for joining us today. Our hope is always to inspire and encourage our listeners. So maybe the in-between isn't something to rush through. Maybe it's something to pay attention to, because it might be where the most important work is happening, even if you can't see it yet. So if you feel like you're in the middle right now, maybe you're not stuck. Maybe you're right in the middle of something God is still working on. working on. 

So here's our challenge for you this week. Take a second and actually name your in-between. Call it out. 

Yeah. 

What are you waiting on right now? And instead of asking, why isn't anything happening? Ask, what is God doing in me in this season? And instead of trying to rush it, choose one way to trust God in it. 

Maybe that's praying differently. Maybe it's letting go of control. Or maybe it's just being honest with God about where you are. 

Because just like that space between Friday and Sunday, God is still working, even when it feels quiet. 

Thank you for being with us today. If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to share it with someone else who would enjoy it. And as always, thank you for being a part of this community. We are grateful that you're here and honored to walk this journey with you. 

Yes, and if you like what we do here at the Beautiful View Podcast, you can show your appreciation by becoming a supporting member for only $5 a month. Your support helps us cover our production costs. The link for you to sign up is in in the show notes. 

Also, be sure to follow Beautiful View Podcasts on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. Those links are also in our show notes. 

So at the end of each episode, we like to find out what the next one will be about. So what's it going to be next time? 

Well, next time we are talking about why rest feels so hard. God commands rest. So why do we feel guilty when we actually try to take it? We both try to practice Sabbath. 

Yes. 

And honestly, it didn't go the way we expected. 

No, it didn't. 

In our next episode, we're diving into why rest feels so hard and how we can begin to embrace it the way it was meant to be. 

Yeah, I was under the illusion that taking a break would be about peace and calm, but honestly, the whole time I can't stop thinking like, what am I supposed to be doing? So it should be a good conversation to have. 

Yeah. Thanks again for joining us. We hope you have a great day and remember to always keep an eye open for opportunities in life to see a beautiful view. Have a great day. 

Yes.

Episode 63