I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3=NLT
Recently I was looking at those really cute Pinterest quotes like “Until God opens a door, praise Him in the hallway. The clip art dancers were very colorful, beautiful, elegant woman praising Jesus in the hallway. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the concept of these pictures but sometimes the true face of praising in the hallway doesn’t always look beautiful. Sometimes praising Him in the hallway means that I’m praising in the hallway with tears streaming down my face. Sometimes I’m lying facedown in the hallway, not understanding the whys of my situation but yet praising.
In that hallway, people are walking by me not understanding my hurt, not understanding my pain – yet I continue to praise Him in that hallway anyway. I don’t run and hide because people are speculating about my situation because it’s not about me and it’s not about them but it’s about Him. Though my heart may be hurting, I’m going to praise Him in my transitional period. That’s what that hallway is, a time of transition so I don’t stop praising, serving, singing while in transition.
Why:
1) Because whether or not He opens that door tomorrow or next year – He yet deserves the praise, glory & honor;
2) I have complete confidence that sooner or later that door is going to swing wind open! I have confident expectation that change will happen. I know that God is aware of me – He knows that my praise is for real – not just for show. Will you praise Him in that sometimes lonely hallway, is there sincere surrender in that hallway?
But until that door opens, there are (2) things you must do and (1) thing you must not do:
· Trust God’s plans for your life (Proverbs 3:5-6)
· Rely on Him – take yourself out of the equation. If you could have opened the door, that door would be open by now. Rely on Him to open that door and stop trying to pull it open yourself;
· Don’t die at the door – don’t give up – it may be tempting to give up and move to plan B but don’t die in the winter because spring is coming. It may be cold and bleak right now but don’t die at the door!
That hallway may be
· a strained marriage – yet praise Him!
· A challenging supervisor- yet praise Him!
· Lack- yet praise Him!
· An adverse doctor’s report – yet praise Him!
No matter what I may encounter in my transitional season (that hallway) I will not cease to praise Him because that hallway enriches me, it enlarges me, it expands me. The hallway is not just a hallway but it’s a fertile place of growth – if you would but allow it to be so. Praise Him in your hallway and watch God open the door. Face this year with confidence knowing that God’s got your back….Until He opens the door, praise Him in the hallway.
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