Living with Hope Between the Times – The Already and Not Yet: Lesson 6

Pr Enos Mwakalindile
Aug 23
4 min read

Updated: Aug 24

Anchored: The Living Hope in Christ for a Broken World

“The kingdom of God is in your midst… but your redemption is drawing near.”— Luke 17:21; 21:28

Silhouette of trees under a deep blue and orange sunset sky, with a crescent moon visible. Peaceful, serene mood.

Introduction: Life in the Tension of Hope

Every believer lives between two horizons—the dawn of God’s kingdom breaking in, and the full light of its arrival still on the horizon. Like travelers who walk in early morning, we feel the warmth of the sun yet watch shadows stretch across the road. The victory of Christ is already won: forgiveness is offered, the Spirit is present, signs of new creation are everywhere (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet, pain and injustice linger, prayers go unanswered, and death is not yet swallowed up (Romans 8:22–25). We rejoice, but we also groan, waiting for the day when all will be made new (Revelation 21:4–5).

Takeaway: Christian hope is the art of living fully in this tension—serving, waiting, and trusting until what is promised is finally revealed.

🔍 Kingdom Come: Present Reality, Future Fulfillment

God’s Kingdom: Now and Not Yet:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

When Jesus stepped into Galilee, He proclaimed a reality that changes everything—the kingdom of God is not a far-off dream, but a present reality that’s as close as breath. The sick were healed, demons cast out, and the broken restored; yet, Jesus still taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come,” because God’s work, like a seed, grows in hidden ways. Even as we see signs of His reign, we still long for the fullness—when justice rolls like waters and peace like a river (Amos 5:24; Isaiah 11:6–9).

Summary: God’s reign is breaking in now, but the full harvest is still ahead.

The Groaning and the Glory:

“We ourselves… groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:23)

Just as the earth aches for spring beneath the snow, we carry a longing for restoration that never quite lets us rest. Even as we taste the Spirit’s firstfruits—moments of healing, reconciliation, or beauty—we still ache for what’s unfinished. Our sighs and our songs blend together, hope and heartache living side by side as we wait for all things to be made right (Psalm 42:1–5; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

Summary: In Christ, we hold hope and pain together as we wait for final redemption.

Faithful Endurance in the In-Between:

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

The waiting room of faith is not idle; it’s a place of patient endurance and courageous trust. Like runners who fix their eyes on the finish line, we press on—anchored by the promises of God’s faithfulness. Each prayer, each act of love, and each refusal to give up is a declaration that we believe the best is yet to come (Philippians 3:12–14; Lamentations 3:21–24).

Summary: God’s people persevere with hope, confident His promises will be fulfilled

🔥 Life Application: Waiting with Purpose and Trust

Active Patience: Real patience is not resignation, but hope in action—serving, building, loving in the space between promise and fulfillment. When we invest in today, our “small” acts become seeds that God grows into future fruit (James 5:7–8; 1 Corinthians 15:58).
Live as Signs of the Kingdom: Let your words, habits, and relationships embody the justice, compassion, and joy of Christ’s reign. Like streetlamps in the fog, your life can shine as a preview of the world God is bringing (Matthew 5:14–16; Micah 6:8).
Hope in Community: We wait best when we wait together. Gather with others to share stories, bear burdens, and lift prayers—knowing that hope is easier to hold when hearts are joined (Hebrews 10:24–25; Galatians 6:2).
Trust God’s Story: Even in dark chapters, trust that God is still writing. His grace is strong enough to hold your doubts and patient enough to finish what He began (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28).

Takeaway: God calls us to live hopefully and purposefully, trusting His story even in the waiting.

🛤️ Mindful Practice: Living the Tension with Grace

Begin Each Day with Kingdom Prayer: Each morning, pause and pray, “Let Your kingdom come in me and through me today.” When you start your day with this focus, you step forward with purpose, ready to see God’s work unfold in small and mighty ways.
Reflect on God’s Faithfulness: Make it a habit to jot down answered prayers and surprising moments of grace—a reminder that God is writing good chapters even in seasons of waiting. Those notes become anchors when storms hit, helping you remember that He’s been faithful before and will be faithful again.
Share Hope with Others: Don’t keep hope to yourself; a word of encouragement can spark new strength in someone who’s struggling. When you extend hope, you not only lift another’s spirit, you shine a little more of God’s light into the world.
Celebrate Foretastes of the Kingdom: Take time to notice moments of beauty, acts of justice, or stories of healing—they’re small glimpses of the world God is making. When you celebrate these foretastes, you nurture hope in your heart and inspire others to long for God’s kingdom with you.

Takeaway: Living between the times means walking in hope, acting in love, and waiting with a purpose that draws others toward the coming dawn.

🙏 Final Prayer & Benediction

Faithful God, anchor us in hope as we wait between the already and the not yet. Give us strength to serve, courage to endure, and eyes to see Your kingdom breaking in. Shape our hearts by Your promises, and make our lives signs of the world that is coming. In Jesus’ name, Amen.