Introduction

I recently finished listening to a beautiful devotional book called Delighting in Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu, and one theme she describes immediately grabbed my heart. It reminded me of something a pastor of mine used to teach years ago—the concept of “the now and the not yet.”

What does that mean?

It’s a way of understanding the time we live in today:
the time between Jesus’ first arrival—His birth in Bethlehem—and His future return when He will make all things right.

Right now, we live in this holy tension:

• Jesus has already won the victory over sin, death, and the evil one
• Yet the world is not yet restored to its final, perfect state
• We walk in hope, even while we wait
• We carry the light of Christ, even while darkness still lingers

This is The Time Between—and God has placed us here on purpose.

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Living in the Now and Not Yet

Scripture reminds us that Jesus has already conquered the power of darkness:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33 (NIV)

Yet Revelation points to a day still coming when He will wipe away every tear:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…”
—Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

We live between these two realities—
victory promised, victory secured, victory still unfolding.

In the Time Between, our calling is clear:

• Live as a people anchored in hope
• Live as a people marked by peace
• Live as a people who know how the story ends
• Live as a people who shine light in the darkness

And this brings us to Advent.

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Advent: Hope and Peace in the Waiting

For those Christian traditions that observe the season of Advent, last Sunday marked the first candle: Hope.

This Sunday marks the second candle: Peace.

These are not random themes—they are theological threads woven directly into the life of every believer living in the time between.

Hope — because Jesus came.

The long-awaited Messiah arrived not in power, but in humility. His birth is proof that God keeps His promises, even if they take time to unfold.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”
—Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

Peace — because Jesus is coming again.

Not a fragile peace, not a shallow peace, but the deep, soul-settling peace that comes from knowing the end of the story.

“My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
—John 14:27 (NIV)

Advent teaches us to hold both truths at once:
He came. He will come again.
And in the middle, He is with us.

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The Mess We Made—and the Rescue God Sent

The world is not what God intended it to be.
Far from it.

But instead of abandoning us to our self-made mess, God moved toward us.

He launched a rescue mission that began in a manger and culminated on a cross.

Jesus came so that:

• our sins could be forgiven
• our relationship with God could be restored
• our future could be secured
• our hope could be anchored

And in the time between His first and second coming, we live in the shadow of that rescue—reminded that the Light is stronger than the darkness.

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Peace in the Promise That Love Will Win

Because Jesus came, we have hope.
Because Jesus will come again, we have peace.

Even if the world feels chaotic…
Even if evil seems loud…
Even if prayers feel unanswered…

We know how the story ends.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
—John 1:5 (NIV)

Love wins.
Light wins.
Christ wins.

And because we belong to Him, we win too.

This is the peace of Advent—not the absence of conflict, but the presence of Christ.

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Closing Prayer

I thought I would provide a prayer that came to me, in case it would be helpful for you, too.

Dear Jesus,
We thank You for coming into our world once, and we thank You that You will come again.
Teach us how to live faithfully in this time between—holding tight to Your promises,
resting in Your peace,
and shining Your hope into a world that desperately needs it.

When our hearts grow weary, remind us of Your victory.
When the darkness feels heavy, remind us that the Light has already overcome it.
When we feel caught between what is and what will be, anchor our spirits in Your unchanging goodness.

Prepare us during this Advent season to recognize Your presence,
to trust Your timing,
and to live as Your people—
full of hope, full of peace, and full of anticipation
for the day You return to make all things new.

Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.

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Reflection Questions for the Week

I also thought it might be helpful to give you some questions you can reflect on this week:

1. Where in my life do I most feel the tension of the “now and not yet”?
   What longing or frustration is God inviting me to bring to Him?
2. Where has Jesus already brought victory into my story?
   How can I remind myself of this truth when I’m discouraged?
3. In what area do I need to release control and embrace the peace of Christ this Advent?
4. How can I carry hope into my workplace, home, friendships, or community this week?
5. Which Advent theme resonates most deeply with me right now—hope or peace—and why?
6. If Jesus returned today, what part of my life would I be most grateful that He redeems?
7. How can I create small moments this week to pause, breathe, and remember that Jesus is near—right here in the time between?

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