The Hidden Place

God’s been busy this week. This girl has had many questions and He’s been terribly patient to answer them…and re-answer them…and sometimes answer them a third time.
Earlier this week, during a time of prayer, God talked to me about the work He does on a person in the secret. In the hiding.

He reminded me that Moses was hidden as a baby, because God needed his life to be preserved for a later task. Joseph was hidden in prison, but even while he was there, God was building in him character traits he’d need later to be in a position of leadership. Even Esther was hidden among the women, but at the proper time, God brought her forward to speak on behalf of His people.

I’ll be honest. If I read the words “at the proper time” one more time, it’s entirely possible I’ll scream. It seems to be a common theme in the books I read…even the Scripture I study. I know I should embrace the words…love the promise contained within them. But I won’t pretend to be super-Bekah. I’m not at that place (yet, anyway).

Yesterday I spent part of the day judging the Campus Challenge competition at IWU. It’s a scholarship competition for Wesleyan students, and I was judging in the vocal category. (This is not a pre-cursor to a career on American Idol…I know, I know…you thought it would be.)

I might have known God would have the week orchestrated clear down to the songs the students chose to sing. It didn’t occur to me until I was in my judging seat, sipping on coffee and shaking my head.

One of the songs, which I’d never heard prior to yesterday, is by Francesca Battistelli. The song is called The Time in Between. Check out the words:

You were there when Your Father said, “Let there be light.”
You obeyed when He whispered, “Son, You have to leave tonight.”
To spend nine months in a mother’s womb, three days in a borrowed tomb.
But it’s the time in between that brings me to my knees.
Knowing You came for me and all that I can’t be.
I’m amazed…so amazed.
And I thank You for the time in between.

Don’t take much for this crazy world to rob me of my peace.
And the enemy of my soul says You’re holding out on me.
So I stand here lifting empty hands for You to fill me up again.

But it’s the time in between that I fall down on my knees.
Waiting on what You’ll bring and the things that I can’t see.
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I’ll sing in the time in between.

So many ways your love has saved the day
And I’m grateful for them all.
I’m living in the time in between. The hidden place. The secret place. And even though it’s hard to see what He’s doing…I don’t want to miss a moment of it.