Guest post by Neely Beattie

"In a little while."

 Something that I have said so often to my son…and honestly sometimes it’s just my way of not flat out telling him no. A placeholder until I can find the time or the energy. When Jesus told His disciples "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” John 16:16. It was a promise and He meant it.

In a little while He was going to die…but again, in a little while, He would live. He would overcome the world. 

In a little while, they would feel absolute despair. In a little while, they would feel absolute joy. Their grief would just be a season of their lives that would soon turn to joy.

Right now, you may be in a season of life that you’re questioning. But in a little while, the season will pass. How long is a little while? Sometimes we have no idea. A little while could be three days like when Jesus walked from that tomb. Or it could be 3 years. What matters is how we react in between. 

Jesus was encouraging His disciples by repeatedly telling them ‘in a little while’ they would see Him again, the Holy Spirit would comfort and be with them. To not lose faith between when they lose Him and when He returns. That the sun would shine again after the storm. 

We can hold on to the same words now. 'In a little while' is a promise, it’s not used as a placeholder. And while we’re waiting, we can rest assured that He will keep all of His promises and that He will be with us every step of the way.