God’s Meaning in Life’s Meanwhiles
By Pamela Bunn – BSF Board Member
Recently, a dear friend sat in an emergency room while doctors treated her husband, who had experienced multiple seizures earlier in the day.
As the minutes and silence stretched on, my friend decided to contact the chaplain at her child’s school about a concern that was unrelated to the current crisis.
For the first time in days, my friend, a busy physician and mother of four, was given the unscheduled time to sit, linger and have a much-needed conversation regarding one of her children. As God cared for my friend’s husband nearby and met the needs of her son many miles away, He comforted my friend with His presence as she waited.
God was active all around in the meanwhile.
In the midst of emergencies, challenging work, difficult relationships, significant change, or the uncertainties of a pandemic, we naturally become absorbed in our current situation. We ask, “What should I be doing? What do I need? Where should I focus?”
And while we concentrate on the immediate task that demands our attention and energy, we often fail to see what God is doing in the meanwhile. When we pause, step back, and consider our broad, high, transcendent God, we get a glimpse of His bigger picture and marvel at it. Our Omniscient God has His hands in every event and works in all of our meanwhiles. He is never overwhelmed. He sovereignly orchestrates all things for His good purposes, whether or not we ever see or understand them. When we look to the sky and see the thick of clouds, we know that behind them His light still burns intentionally and bright.
Meanwhiles in Scripture
From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word is full of His work in the meanwhiles.
In Genesis 29, Jacob worked to win his wife, Rachel. During the next 20 years, he navigated his father-in-law’s deceptions, raised a family, built a thriving livestock herd and planned to return home. Meanwhile, unseen by Jacob, God was using these years to untangle Jacob’s past problems in Canaan.
In Genesis 32, as he prepared to meet his brother, Jacob anticipated an attack from Esau’s men. During a sleepless night, he was consumed by “great fear and distress.” Meanwhile, God had gone before Jacob to soften Esau’s heart.
In Genesis 50, Joseph summarized his grasp of God’s work in his meanwhiles when he told his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Throughout Scripture, God gives us glimpses of His sovereignty that encourage us to trust Him more deeply.
In Egypt, the Israelites groaned in slavery. Meanwhile, in Egypt as well as the desert, God was preparing Moses to deliver them from their captivity.
When Israel demanded a king, God gave them Saul. Meanwhile, He prepared David in the sheep fields to be a man after His heart and later take over the shepherding of His people.
And toward the end of the Old Testament, God seemed silent, sending no new prophets for 400 years. Meanwhile, He was preparing the world for the Messiah, His beloved Son who would die to redeem His people.
The Lessons We Learn
God works in ways visible and invisible. He is ever present and never confused. He handles every situation coincidentally, the known and the meanwhiles, neglecting none, and perfectly bringing about all He ordains. As with the Israelites of the Old Testament or the believers of the New Testament, God is accomplishing many things:
He expands our understanding of His ways – they are vast, eternal and always good.
He increases our appreciation of His power – it is limitless, ordered and never arbitrary.
He enriches our worship of His greatness – His thoughts are beyond our thoughts, and His love has no bounds.
Our Personal Meanwhiles
The same God who upholds the stars is working beyond what we see. He is the author of our meanwhiles. As He places kings, prime ministers, and presidents in authority, He also strategically places each of us where we are.
When we feel thrown off balance, stretched by demands on our time and efforts, we can remember the meanwhiles of Genesis through Jacob and Joseph.
We can ask, “How might God be working in my meanwhile? Is He refining a skill? Testing my faith? Adjusting my attitude or reordering my affections? Developing steadfastness and maturity? Meanwhile, what is He revealing about Himself?”
Though we cannot understand all of God’s plans, we can trust that His work stretches beyond what we see. As we prepare our hearts and minds for Matthew, let’s take some time to reflect on God’s work during the past year. We can rest assured there is meaning in every meanwhile to come.
Pamela Bunn
BSF Board Member
Pamela Bunn grew up in St. Louis, Mo., graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in English, and started BSF as a near newlywed in 1982 in St. Petersburg, Fla. After moving to her husband’s hometown Raleigh, NC in 1986, she served as a GL, an STL, a TL and an Area Advisor for eastern North Carolina and South Carolina, until 2013 when she joined the BSF Board of Directors. She served on the St. David’s School Board of Trustees in Raleigh for twenty years, and has been a Director for Benjamin F. Edwards & Co in St. Louis since 2010, where she works part time as a special advisor to the executive division. Pamela writes a daily devotional blog, astherainandsnow.com (inspired by Isaiah 55:10-11), delighting to combine her love for words, God’s Word and her photography of God’s creation. She and her husband, Lee, live in Naples, Fla., and are active in teaching, discipleship and shepherding ministries, especially with young couples. They have three adult children, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Thank you for your faithfulness and your leader ship
Thanks Pamela for your sharing. Yes, our God is an awesome God. He creates and sustains. In my every past meanwhile, I can see how God orchestrated my life, helping me through and through all the trials shaping me for His good and eternal plan.
Can you help me find a zoom ladies Bible study
Hi there! If you visit https://www.bsfinternational.org/find-a-group simply select “BSF Online” and you’ll see group options. You can select the one that is right for you!
With all the ups and downs in life I am encouraged to know that God is in perfect control even in the meanwhile.
I thank you for helping me as I grow in the Lord through BSF
I really enjoyed reading this. I also rejoice with your blog because Isaiah 55:8-13 is my favorite Scripture and I recite it almost every day at the beginning of my prayer. Thank you!
So insightful. Especially during the times we live In. With so much uncertainty of the future of our country and our beliefs as christians. Such a good reminder of God’s sovereignty and hope .
Thanks for this encouraging blog. And thank you for serving the Lord through BSF.
I enjoyed this. Thank you.
Thank you for infusing the word “meanwhile” with such power, turning it into a reminder that God is always, always, always at work and that He’s doing things bigger and deeper than I can imagine!
Thank you so much for sharing the Word of God. There are so many meanwhile in our lives we take for granted yet God is always at work. God bless you.
A very timely message reminding us that our God never sleeps or slumbers and is always working out his plan for and in our lives!
Thank you for reminding us that God’s control every details on our life. Their is ups and down passing thru us . He know our limitation, He’s love us and He want us to focus on Him alone ..Thank you very much!
Pamela, Thank you for sharing these powerful insights. As I reflect on my meanwhile right now, I can see how God is growing my faith and dependence on Him. Isn’t it true that our love for our Lord grows deeper as we see how He sustains and leads us through our circumstances that are beyond our control. Again, thank you for sharing exactly what God knew I needed to hear.
Indeed, God in our MEANWHILES fulfills His Promises to believers,” I will never leave you alone nor forsake you. “As to Jacob, He assures us as HIS CHILDREN THAT,”i WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ALONE UNTIL MY PROMISES TO YOU ARE FULFILLED IN YOUR LIFE.
During our waiting periods, He is there working on our love for Him and our Faith in Him. Our waiting periods are His ways of drawing us closer to Him , a period of refining us for His greater works, a period of building our confidence in Him, a period of assurance of our Hope in Him; working out things for our good tomorrow.
Thank you, Pamela, for this upliftment. God is never asleep in our challenges. He is always in control of the affairs of His children, whom He identifies with and calls His Own.
God is so good! I have had an upsetting day to say the least. When I read your blog, my eyes were opened immediately. God is working behind the scenes and will take care of this situation. Thank you for these encouraging words.
I couldn’t agree more on your views of meanwhile . Even Jesus had to go through meanwhile.
Thanks for sharing the words from God.
Thanks pamela am encouraged to know God is always with me in the meanwhile
Thank you for reminding me that God is sovereignly working in our meanwhiles to accomplish His good purposes. The world is a scary place much of the time, especially lately. Who can we trust? Who is telling the truth to us? Thank the Lord for His Word, His truth is our anchor in these troubled waters!
I thank God for the BSF study and for everything He has taught me through it. He has taught me especially to depend upon Him and not allow my circumstances to overwhelm me, by focusin for your devotiong on them. He wants me to listen to Him in my heart and rest in His sovereign care of me and my family. Thank you again.
Thanks so much.Am encouraged to know meanwhile my God is still working for my future.
God bless you and family. My faith has been lifted up
Oh God, you remind me to count my blessings, and BSF truly is one, by getting this article right on time as I wondered on understanding my “meanwhile”.
Thank you for your encouraging blog this week. It helps me to regain faith in God and not be.upset with myself on my just last week’s very naive and foolish action which I was scammed into. I know that God has used it as a learning experience for me and I do not feel any anger. It is now I need to (in the meanwhile )as in your terminology, I need to wait for God to review His intended lesson for me in this.
Thank you. Blessings Love & Peace
Thank you so much fir your “ Meanwhiles”. I have loved my Lord for a long time and know he is in control. Your “Meanwhiles” came as a special note from God to me. I am in crisis #1 while I’m in crisis #2, 3 and 4. I felt I was just existing and not doing anything for the Lord and that doesn’t feel very good. Your message came just when I needed encouragement. I wanted to be doing all these wonderful things for the Lord and even though I know better, I didn’t want all these continuing crisis within crisis. I was thinking yes this is for the Lord too but it doesn’t feel or seem like it and Lord what do you really want me to do? So you see I needed this reminder that this is His will right now and all is unto the Lord. Thank you again and thank you My Savior and Lord.
Wow! what an awesome attribute of God. A meanwhile is something I will always remember. Thank you.
Thank you for the v inspiring message .👍
I’m going thro’ this period of ‘meanwhiles’ waiting & not sure what to expect, just praying that the Lord will open the way.
I’ve to go on with faith & hope & trusting that He will answer
my prayer.
Jade
I am in a”Meanwhile” in my life navigating a family crisis. Thank you for reminding me that God is working while I’m in His waiting room. The study of Genesis this year reminded me over and over again of God’s sovereignty. Meanwhile I will continue to do His work He had called me to no matter the circumstances that grieve me. God bless you in your writing.
Thank you so much for your inspiring reminder of GOD’s OMNIPOTENCE in the meanwhiles of life! As each day begins with new challenges and new trials, you showed how HE IS ALWAYS AT WORK for HIS PERFECT PLANS. Genesis is extremely full of examples of GOD WORKING ALL THINGS FOR GOOD to those who are called according to HIS PURPOSES.
You have sparked a renewed confidence and assurance to keep doing the next right thing. Showers of blessings to you and your family, Pamela!
He enriches our worship of His greatness – His thoughts are beyond our thoughts, and His love has no bounds. Wow,amazing thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
What a timely message of our ‘meanwhiles’!! 2020 and going forward could not have demonstrated that better! In all that chaos, God turned up in places we could not and still cannot imagine. Giving many a ‘peace that surpassed all understanding’. What a MIGHTY, powerful God we serve!
Timely message to contemplate the meanwhiles of my own life.
I have really enjoyed your write up. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy to have as one of the board members.
After going through the Genesis, I can confidently say that God is in control over every hopeless and helpless situation. God is interested in every minute detail of my life. Isaiah 43:1-2 encourages me a lot. God richly bless you.
This was an Amazing encouragement!
Beautifully written. Moved me to tears as I woke up with an anxiety attack this am. Read your words while praying to God for intervention, calm and direction.
Blog took me in a spiritual direction I had never considered as I am guilty of trying to stay in the moment while not being considerate of the meanwhile that He manages around and about me and the world at large.
Grateful for your insightful words of encouragement and
reflection.
Pamela, thank you, for the reminder! Today I’m encouraged and hopeful.
Thank you. This has encouraged me that God is always at work in each of our lives.
The Bible were written by inspired Men of God and BSF’s Board Members were all touched by the Almighty when they put pen on paper to write for us at the bottom to learn.
Thank you Pamela Bunn and God richly bless you, Amen in Jesus name.
I feel strengthen by studying His word.
I am guided by God in my daily life.
It’s important to receive and share my life with Christian friends.
Thank you. God Bless
Thank you for this enlightening message – in my impatience I will always try to remember this “meanwhiles” and hope that that impatience will fade from my ‘psyche’ altogether!!
I want to be intentional in noticing God at work in my meanwhiles. I also want to be obedient to what He is asking me to do in the meanwhiles. Thank you for challenging me to consider the significance of the meanwhiles.
Thank you Pam for the encouragement! And meanwhile in Australia the Lord is continually working through BSF…..Praise Him!
I needed this-I loved studying Genesis.
Looking forward to “Matthew “
Thank you 🙏🏻
Really enjoyed thanks , I needed that encouragement.
It makes more sense to me now when it feels like God is silent, I know that’s not a silent, something is about to happen as Good is working.
I was truly blessed from reading this blog. It’s prayer that you will continue to share. May the blessings of the Lord rest upon you and your family.
So refreshing and encouraging as I think about God’s care and steadfastness in my own meanwhile. Thank you for the encouragement.
I find this to be most rewarding. I know that we serve God in Spirit, however we feel his presence in all we do. I have learned to praise God for ALL things. I know that He is walking with and working in my life. All praises to our GOD!!!
Thank you! Such a healthy perspective, knowing that God is always at work. Our peace comes in trusting in Him.
Pamela, when I am in the midst of retirement in San Antonio, God is preparing a place and plans for us in San Antonio in the meanwhile. Thank you for that reminder. You are a great encouragement to me once again!
Three weeks ago I and my daughter Monica got involved in a motor accident. We were knocked by a trailer which had list control. Our van overturned four times. We came out with head injuries. For me it was open but for my lovely daughter it was closed and went unconscious for 4 days. Brain surgery was finaly done on her. She is improving now as for me am still nursing a chest pain. God’s hand did not leave us. Haleluya.
Very encouraging and insightful. I imagine the majority of God’s work in our lives takes place in OUR meanwhiles, and HIS perfect timing. Thank you, Pamela, for your love and teaching of God’s word.
Great word for my “such a time as this”. I will rest and wait in the meanwhile.
Thank you, Pamela! A timely reminder that God is in control over everything and everyone. We may not be pleased with what is going on around and within us, but I love that He is working there and even in our (my) meanwhile. He considers all that happens since He is sovereign! Again, thank you.
So glad we have board members that are strong in the word.As I read your blog I pictured what we had learned this pass year and will be able to apply this daily. God bless you
Pamela…it was so nice to once again hear your wise words of wisdom that God shared with you. Your leadership in BSF started me on the right track when I was a young immature Christian and your faith and love helped me persevere. 22 years later I’m in Charlotte, still in BSF and so very thankful for what you taught me in those early years through BSF…it changed my life and has given me God’s peace, comfort, wisdom, guidance and strength. Thank you so much.
Such great encouragement, Pamela! Thank you.
Thank you Pamela for your devotion and walk with God. Your words are exacting, true and timely as God’s word always connects our immediate concerns as well as our meanwhiles to Him if we take time to be with Him. Keep up the good work and I pray God blesses your ministry and family.
Thank you so much. There are many Meanwhiles in my life and i wil now face them with a new perspective.
Beautifully written! Thank you. Thru our country’s perfect storm of Covid, racial unrest, and politics we must believe in God’s meanwhiles, no doubt. What a superb message!
Thank you for this summarise God is preparing the good for us, he is faithful to his word but we are not faithful to his promises. we are not constantly to trust in Him.
A very refreshing insight into the sovereign masterpiece of God’s plan for His children. No one can do this except the Mighty God. Praise be to His Glorious name.
Thank you Pamela for the encouraging word. I have a new insight on the God of the meanwhile.
Thanks for this encouragement to remind us that He is God of meanwhile. May He continues to prepare each one of us to be a woman after God’s heart. Teach us Lord to see the big picture and not to concentrate on the immediate task. You are Sovereign and always at work for the good purpose. Praise be to you God and many thanks Pamela!
Did I wrap this up correctly to assume GOD is using ALL the happenings in the world until HIS return? Whether HE ordained it or not because HE allowed it… HE uses it for HIS glory and purposes? It sure makes pain and suffering a little easier to go through….. in the mean while I will TRUST in HIS sovereignty for my life while I wait for HIS return….
I appreciate the content in this particular blog. I have had many meanwhiles in life and believe God is about to reveal another. Thank you for reminding us that we can trust God is working for our good in every moment of what we preceive to be awkward silence. I am now looking forward in trust to God’s revelations in His timing.
I appreciate the content in this particular blog. I have had many meanwhiles in life and believe God is about to reveal another. Thank you for reminding us that we can trust God is working for our good in every moment of what we preceive to be awkward silence. I am now looking forward in trust to God’s revelations in His timing.
Very inspiring! Gentle and practical encouragement on ” in the meanwhile”. Can feel the writer’s true insight, love and caring sentiments coming from above. “Meanwhile” is lingering in my mind. So blessed to read the article. Praise the Lord! God bless all the BSF staff.
Great encouragement; realizing that in between the “Pit” stops, there are the gifts of the “Meanwhiles”….to God be the Glory!
Thank God who is always there for my ‘meanwhiles’. Great is he working for our good. Thankyou for such a lovely blog mam.
Thank you Pamela! That is so encouraging and so true. So often we are absorbed with all the complexities of our lives that we are blinkered to God’s
hand in the Meanwhiles….
When things look bleak, believe and move forward knowing God is at work and walking alongside.
How perfect and timely is our God with this message. I have sensed God’s wisdom in leaving my son in His perfect healing care whilst he embarks on his own painful journey in His soul with tonnes of anger as discerned by himself counselor and myself.
Thank you Pamela for your inspirational words. Now I have a truly deeper understanding of the word ‘meanwhile’ which has never been part of my thought life. So, as I wait upon the Lord for direction and guidance I am now more mindful of the meanwhiles in my life.
Having constant reminders that God is in control is calming and needed. Thank you.
Thank you Pamela, always thankful to BSF training to know God through the Word. He grows our faith, to love and serve Him..He quiets my heart with singing. (Zep 3:17)
His love is one of a kind. BSF is my 2nd home.
Thank you.
Love these words. Thank you.
Thank you for your Blog about the many meanwhiles. I have waited 4 yours for BSF to return to singing hymns before the lecture. I miss them terribly. Will they ever return?
I too have loved the hymns. They truly began the work of the Holy Spirit in me.
This blog has spoken to me this morning.
Thank you
Thank you Pamela. Great summary of Genesis. How encouraging to know God is working all the time in the ‘future’ – way ahead of us, even in Israelites’ case in Egypt 400 plus years ahead of them. Readying a leader to lead them out, and the enemies to prepare the promise land with butter and honey so they won’t have to toil and lack!. Best of all in the midst of today’s chaos struggles and uncertainties, we who knows and loves Him are aware HE never slumbers nor sleep preparing our heavenly Home! God Bless you richly.
Thank you this is right on time for me. God sent of course!
Veronica
44 years ago, I accepted Jesus Christ as I studied the Book of John at BSF. At that time we could only attend five years and had to leave to allow those on a waiting list to take our place. I began this years study of Genesis (my 3rd time) in potentially distracting circumstances. Prior to the study doctors had discovered two Aorta aneurysms had reached the point of requiring surgery. However, the hospitals were full with COVID patients, surgery was out of the question, so they would continue to grow until the restrictions on surgery were removed, or they burst and I would go on to be with the Lord.
Early in our studies, God addressed my concerns regarding this physical situation by building my faith in His Sovereignty. He simply spoke to my heart, telling me to live each day as if it were my last. What wonderful counsel from my Father. Yesterday is past, can never be anything but what it was, tomorrow has been determined by God and as Jesus tells us, will have enough evil of its own. Today is given to me by God to serve His purposes, to be His instrument and spread His love to all those He has and will bring into my sphere of influence. Listening for His counsel and acting as He directs me to insure the security of those He has given to me.
My wife was also studying Genesis, and we discussed Gods direction. We now both, as one, daily focus on living in NOW. In addition to her BSF studies, she has in 3 months memorized the entire Book of Philippians and we seek to daily serve God in whatever capacity He reveals.
Every event in each individuals life is approved by God who is using events to draw each of us closer to Him. A believer seeks to live in humble obedience to God in all circumstances, the process of dying to self, growing in Christ who is the power to live now with increased awareness of God in our lives as we grow in our relationship with Him and are seen as growing light in this darkness.
Very refreshing. Thank you sharing and for the reminder that God is also working in our meanwhile situation.
Blessings
So beautifully written and so inspirational – thank you!
Hi Pamela Thank you for all your work. This is my 5th year in BSF, I love it. Thank you for your work. I looked at your blog and love it too. Thanks for your gift to us
Thank you, very helpful to me!
Thank you Pamela for your encouragement. It just touches my heart in all the soft spots. And I so never want to forget what all I learned in Genesis this past year. And so remembering Joseph, Jacob, and Essau and putting them together with all everyone is going through, will help me never to forget.
Thank you for your insight and your blessed words.
I agree
Thank you as for me I have been in BSF for 3 years now. And I have fully been encouraged at what I learn in BSF. In Genesis I was reminded of many things. In the story of Jacob I realised that though Jacob a trick star God used him in a big way.If it was in our time in our own human ways we’d never choose him to accomplish what God purposed for him to accomplish.
And so I have learned to look at people differently bearing in mind how would God look at them or what would God do about them.
Our God is a merciful God.
A good enriching biblical insight on my meanwhiles. God bless you
Thank you Pamela for giving me a better Word. My meanwhile. I have been really blessed this passed year. But now my meanwhiles have renewed a great relief in me. Thank God for you.
Thank you Pamela. This is just what I needed to read today. It prompted me to think back over the past year. I’ve seen so many miracles in my life as well as in others around me. My meanwhiles have been full of God working in my life. I only have to pay attention. Thank you for reminding me. God bless you and all of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Henry
An interesting reflection on the study of Genesis. Thank you.
While I truly believe in this message, I can’t help but feel that this message applies to mostly those of us who live in countries that are more stable with more opportunities for its people. What about people suffering in places around the world that oppress its own citizens, that are in constant turmoil, where people are starving etc. I have no answer. Just heaviness in my heart. Where is God for them?
Dear Gladys, I feel the heaviness in your heart. It seems so unfair and inconsistent. I think maybe that this message applies even more to these people though in a way.
In The Meantime… amidst their great suffering… God is working behind the scenes for His good purposes.
I once met a beautiful Christian lady with a strong faith that I admired greatly. As I got to know her she talked of how she had been taken as a child into a resistance “army” and used by the “officers” in ways I won’t describe here! She told me that what kept her going was a strong feeling/belief that God loved her!!
I honestly believe that sometimes God pours out a special grace into the lives of those who suffer persecution and immense pain/loss. May our precious Lord bless and keep you xx
Lest we forget: God is “omnipresent” and works for the good of all.
What a great reminder. I seem to be living in a ” Meanwhile” season, and this word gave me such clarity and encouragement.
This was was incredibly good!!! O taste and see that the LORD our Great God is Good!!!
“Meanwhile”, is my current season-thanks!
God is busy changing my expectations…they are too small for where He sees me.
Thank you for your wonderful blog! I love & take great comfort in the thought that God is never overwhelmed! No matter WHAT happens, we don’t HAVE to be overwhelmed. We can ask God to help us to empower us to continually rest in Him and then choose to keep our gaze locked on to Him first over the situation or issue. When the heat is on, we slide into overwhelm mode sometimes. But to have the hope & understanding that we can give that heavy load to the Lord is so refreshing & freeing!The Lord is SO amazing!
Thank you for the encouragement. I needed to hear as I am comtemplating a new season in my life
Very inspirational.
So RIGHT-ON!!! Just what I needed for today!! Thank-you!
Comforting message for us now! May God be praised for inspiring people like you, Pamela , to reassure us of His love and care for us. God bless you!
God is our refuge , strengh . Ever – present help,. Psalm 46:1 when I am afraid, I will trust in Him . God is soverign . Good and faithful .
” For I know the plans I have for you ” declared the Lord , plan to preosper you , not to harm you and gi eyoyna future ” Jeremiah 29:11 . Only trust and obey . God will ditect our path .
To God be the glory .
Thank your blog and inspiration …
Thank you Pamela , I needed this reminder. I am going to spend the rest of my day reflecting on the past year. I am struggling with a situation and dont know what Gods plans are or what I should be doing . After reading this article I have hope that He has the answer so I can stop worrying . Thanks again , have a blessed day ! Debra Sears