The Power of Meanwhile (Ghost Protocol)

(Acts 12:24)

There is a quote by Mother Teresa that says “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” It is a powerful quote that emphasizes the importance of diligence and faithfulness in everyday tasks. Even more important than this is the people who do these tasks day in and day out. As I reflect, and really can’t help but be grateful for all the folks responsible for their part in “the harvest”: the small but faithful that continue our Kingdom advancement. This is comprehensive, from spreading the Gospel to giving, and the list goes on and on. And, in this moment, it must be addressed that we also need to hear what I’m not saying which is as follows:

Living out faithfulness doesn’t always happen in a series of great events.

The superbowls, the Met galas, the OV St. Patrick’s Day parades of lives don’t happen every day. I’m sure many of us get that, but in today’s cultural climate I believe reminders are necessary. So no, not every moment of our faithfulness is dynamic, and for this reason we need to learn to operate well (with excellence and urgency) in seasons that I will simply refer to as the “meanwhile.” Why is it even necessary to understand this? Because “meanwhiles” feel mundane, sometimes dare I say malicious, but they are part of the key to accessing His majesty.

When Life Feels Ordinary

Not every moment of faith is dramatic. In fact, most of life unfolds in the “meanwhile”—those quiet, ordinary seasons that rarely make headlines but deeply shape our faith. The early church knew this well. While persecution raged and chaos swirled, believers carried on with unwavering devotion. They taught, served, prayed, and gave—faithful in what seemed like small things. But these so-called small things were the very seeds that caused the Word of God to spread and multiply. Faith in the “meanwhile” is never wasted. God is always working, even when it feels like nothing is happening.

Faith That Moves in the Midst of Fear

After Stephen’s death, the church scattered; some of them fleeing hundreds of miles away. Antioch is a great example at about 300 mi away from Jerusalem! And get this: instead of cowering or hiding, they continue to spread the Gospel message! And when a famine hit the Roman world, the believers didn’t turn inward—they gave generously to their brothers and sisters in Judea. The Bible says that each one gave according to their abilities…in spite of circumstance.

And when Peter was unjustly imprisoned under Herod’s watch, the church responded not with panic, but with prayer. These moments didn’t feel like victory laps—they felt like survival. Yet each “meanwhile” was marked by courage, generosity, and steadfast trust in a God who sees beyond the moment. The people of God stayed in motion, even when the world tried to shut them down.

God Works While We Wait

Faithfulness during the “meanwhile” becomes the catalyst for the Gospel to multiply in every direction.

Peter’s miraculous escape from prison reminds us that God does His best work behind the scenes. While Peter slept, chained between 16 guards…16!!!, an angel arrived and led him out—through locked gates, past watchful soldiers, into the freedom he didn’t even realize was real. All the while, the church was praying, completely unaware of how God was already answering. This is what makes “meanwhile” so powerful: while we wait, God moves. While we pray, He prepares. And sometimes, the breakthrough comes in ways we could never expect or explain.

Stay the Course, Even in the Chaos

Herod’s downfall contrasts sharply with the church’s perseverance. While he grasped for power and glory, the believers remained rooted in prayer and purpose. Herod died trying to be god, but the Word of God lived on and continued to spread. And amen to this, but now we hopefully see this narrative is revealing something about life and our faithfulness we must address in closing.

Persecution and protection both exist in our faithfulness and obedience. Keep your focus and stay the course. This is the empowerment of the meanwhile. The concept of “meanwhile” underscores the biblical theme of divine providence. Humans act in limited understanding while God works behind the scenes to bring about His purposes. The “meanwhile” moments in Scripture remind believers of God’s sovereignty and the assurance that He is actively involved in the details of life, even when His hand is not immediately visible. It’s amazing to me that we exist in the most gifted and resourced era of our time, and yet somehow we fail to accomplish so many things because we also live in the age of distraction…don’t let it affect your time.

The lesson is clear: God’s mission never stops. Not in persecution, not in pain, not even in prison. The “meanwhile” may feel like a holding pattern, but it’s actually sacred ground. If we stay faithful—through prayer, giving, and community—we’ll find that God is always preparing us for more. Stay focused. Stay faithful. The Word is still multiplying.

One Love,
JRNB

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church

Tagged Blogs