"In Between"

 

“In Between”

 

“In between” describes a place bound by two points or events. A patient may be in between appointments, an unemployed worker may be in between jobs, a traveler may be in between destinations. But there’s a place where one can be literally in Between: Between, GA. It’s a tiny hamlet (1.2 square miles) mid-distance from Loganville and Monroe (and larger cities Atlanta and Athens) on US Highway 78 and GA Highway 10. In 2000 it had a population of 148 which more than tripled to 475 in 2024. (See “Strange Names” for more interesting places’ names and how they were acquired.)

As we read about Jesus’ life and ministry we find a number of incidents of His actions while on His way from one place to another. In John 4 He and His disciples were going from Judea to Galilee and “…he had to go through Samaria.” (Verse 4). Why? A woman of ill repute needed to hear His message that He was the long-awaited Messiah (Verse 26) and based on her testimony, “Many of the Samaritans…believed in him….” (Verse 39). In Matthew 9 Jesus was in the midst of teaching in Matthew’s home (Verses 9-17) when Jairus, a synagogue ruler (Mark 5:22), begged Him to heal his sick daughter (Verse 18). While on His way a woman touched His clothing and was healed of a twelve-year illness (Verses 20-22) before He arrived at the official’s home and raised his daughter from the dead (Verses 23-26). And while going to Jerusalem from Capernaum our Lord met and healed ten men suffering from leprosy (Luke 1711-19). To some these may have been seen as interruptions but to the Master they were opportunities.

I shudder to think of the chances to minister I’ve lost because I was in a hurry to do something else. It may have been a good opportunity but maybe it kept me from a better one (see “Being a Friend” for a personal example). In 1974 Mac Davis wrote and sung these words: “Where you going in such a hurry…You got to Stop and Smell the roses….” Those “in between” moments (aka smelling the roses) can bless us and others in countless ways—will I/you avail myself/yourselves of them?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan