The morning is covered with a fog of despair as the sun rises over the earth. Feelings of hopelessness, confusion, loss, and pain overwhelm the hearts of those who followed Jesus. So many thoughts are going through their minds such as:

“Where do we go from here?”

“Who do we trust?”

“Jesus, we need you to be here with us.”

“I can’t believe He is gone.”

“I don’t know what to do now.”

This is the second day. The day after Jesus was crucified on the cross.

The second day represents the unknown, the unfamiliar, the in-between day. This day is filled with confusion and fear. Fear of what’s ahead and of the unknown. Fear of how do we move forward, and loss of hope at times.

The second day is about being in a state of uncertainty, it’s a unfamiliar place. The unfamiliar place represents the season, the time when we are in the hallway, between what was and what is to come. Breaking away from what we knew, to where God is leading us.

Walking in the unfamiliar place is where the disciples were on the day in-between when Christ died upon the cross, and the day when Christ was resurrected, the in-between place, transition.

The second day is the winter season. This is the time in our lives when the work being done within each of us is hidden, is being completed underground. Jesus was doing a great work on the second day, but the disciples didn’t see it at the time. All they felt was confusion, uncertainty, pain, heartache and more. Their feelings did not take away the work Jesus was doing.

The beauty of the second day, is the hidden work being done within each of us. Peter would not have become the Peter of Acts without the second day. On the first day Peter denied Jesus and after the third day Peter was filled with boldness and courage to speak with God’s anointing and power the truth of Jesus. The second day was the day the work within, the hidden work inside of Peter took place.

Moses became the Moses of Exodus in his season of hiddenness. This is the time between when he was raised in Pharaoh’s family as a child and when he came back and led God’s people to freedom from slavery and bondage.

King David was a shepherd boy who became King of all of Israel. His second day, his in-between season, was the many years he was in hiding from Saul. The great work God did within him, took place as he hid in the caves with his faithful men of valor.

The second day is vital to each of us in becoming who and what Jesus has called us to be for the next season in our life.

I’m reminded of the song we used to sing around the campfire growing up. The song was about going on lion hunt. Do you remember this song?

Going on a lion hunt,
gonna catch a big one,
I’m not afraid,
what’s that up ahead?
Mud (stick, trees, gate, river, grass, cave)

Can’t go over it.
Can’t go under it.
Can’t go around it.
Gotta go through it.

In order for us to become all that Jesus intended us to be, we must go through the second day. We can’t ignore it. We can’t skip over right into the season of celebration of new life without first going through the hidden season of transition. Well, technically we can, but we won’t be walking in the fullness of what God created us to be. Hiddenness is required. The season of winter is important.

Psalms 56:8 (GW) says,
“You have kept a record of my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. They are already in your book.”

I love that God gathers our tears.

Our season of heartache and brokenness is not wasted.

God collects our tears and then He writes them in our book. God understands the seasons we need to walk through. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He is with us always.

In Deuteronomy 31:6 (GW) we read:
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you.”

In this season of transition God is with you. Don’t rush this season or try to skip over it. This season is vital to each of us walking in what and who God has ahead for us. If you are in this season know you are not alone. God is with you and many, such as myself, are right there with you as well. Embrace this season. Walk through this season, not skipping ahead, and you, and I, will be amazed at all that God does through us.

Remember, we are in the same company as Peter, Moses and David, who all had to walk through this season as well in order to become what and who God intended. Seasons have beginning and an end. As we lean in to Jesus He will guide us through this season with his amazing grace.