When my precious daughter Lindsey died, her sister gave me a pendant with a semicolon on it. It came with an explanation: when a writer uses a semicolon, she wants you to keep going because there is more to come. The gift encouraged me to keep going in faith until the day when we know the ultimate end of Lindsey’s story. God has given us many semicolon moments when we are to wait for his “more to come.”
In Scripture, God’s semicolon is often a “but God.” Think with me about those seemingly impossible, hopeless situations: Adam and Eve committing the sin unto death, but God. Abraham and Sarah beyond childbearing years, but God. Uneducated scrappy “little-faith” followers of Jesus out to change the world? Blind seeing? Lame walking? Demon-possessed set free? Storms stilled? Burdens dropped? With man, this is impossible. But with God—his pen in hand, writing, writing, writing—all things are possible.
Maybe you or a loved one feel like you are in the middle of a horror story, your worst nightmare made real.
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I am spiraling down into drugs and debauchery.
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I am alone, no one cares.
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I aborted my baby.
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I had an affair.
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I was horribly unkind to my parents; our relationship is shot.
Now add the words “but God” at the end of each of those statements.
If you are on the edge of despair because you see no way out, look to Scripture to see how often God moved in mysterious ways, how he was writing wonders, for a while using invisible ink. Remember how God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, met his loved ones in the past. Listen to or read about their testimonies of how God reached into their darkness with his blazing light. Be encouraged. Notice that seeming crises were opportunities for him to show his power and love in unthought-of ways. Remember what comes after “but God.”
While you wait for the rest of your story, you never wait alone. He is with you, holding, guiding, comforting, and completely in control. Watch for his personal encouragement. He is involved. This is not fate, chance, or mistake. He is writing more of his story in your life too. Watch. Wait. Trust in the goodness and power of your God and Father.
Are you reading this and thinking, “I just can’t believe he will show up for me.”? Ask him for the faith you need to see him in your now, pen poised to write your miraculous “but God” story. He is willing and able, and he loves to show his powerful stuff. Why? Because his “but God” is ultimately for his glory and your good. Isn’t that what we are here for?
