A Period of Semicolon

If you received any formal education in the English language, you know what a semicolon is used for. More than just a cute novelty item on a grammar buff's desk, or tattoo on a sorority-girl-turned-existentialist, the semicolon has a practical purpose: to link two independent - but similarly themed - statements by a pause, without breaking the flow of the sentence.

To link two independent statements by a pause.

My life up to this point has always been driven; it has been defined by what was coming next, and the time before was spent in intensive preparation. But, like I said, that was up to this point. I have reached a semicolon - a pause. Something is coming, something linked to all of the experiences I have racked up in the past twenty years, something beautiful and new...

But first, I must pause. I must take a breath. I must wait.

Let me step away from my own story for a moment, and take you to a similar one. You can read the full account for yourself in Acts 9:1-31, but I will only highlight a brief sentence here:

Saul has just come out alive on the other side of his Damascus encounter with Christ; he is a new man rearing to go share the Good News with anyone who is willing to listen. This message is not well received, however, and his life is put on the line.

"And when the brothers learned [that the Hellenists were seeking to kill Saul], they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus." (Acts 9:30 ESV)

This is the last we hear of Saul until chapter 13, when he and Barnabas are sent off on their first missionary journey. After that we read a good deal about Saul-Paul's ministry, but how often do we hear about verse 30 - about the semicolon in Saul's life? Try never.

Can you imagine what Saul must have been doing while he was back home? He must have been chomping at the bits to begin ministry, feeling stifled by the need to wait. I see him, struggling not to fling open his window and scream to the world "Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah we have been waiting for!" instead of sullenly flicking on his desk lamp and returning to his text books...Oh, wait am I talking about Saul, or myself?

Friend, this is where I am, and you may find yourself here as well, you've reached your semicolon. A time when, like Saul, you have been told "no", "wait", "you aren't ready, yet". Now is not a time to sit like a lump, to break the flow of your life - now is a time to take a breath, preparing for the coming connection.

This is only a pause. Yet, take out the "only" and the entire attitude of that sentence changes: This is a pause.

Use it wisely, for something beautiful is coming next.

- Bekah S.