We went to find the sun in Phoenix last week. Hasn’t rained there in 7 months.
It poured.
So hard that at one point during our seminar the sound system couldn’t even compete with the rain pounding the roof. (We chose to believe it was the Holy Spirit raining down for the participants 😇).
Then, we then headed to the gulf coast of Florida to bask.
Unseasonably warm weather. Until we arrived.
And it poured.
The Rhines are quite obviouly rainmakers. 😜
I remember one family reunion at the beach years ago when it rained almost the entire week. None of our planned activities were possible. So instead, we played games, and cooked, and talked, and laughed, and cried, and laughed some more.
It was maybe one of the best vacations in memory.
You’ve likely heard it said that “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Yes, and no. We can't always celebrate life's challenges. But we can choose how we experience them. Sometimes how we wait for change is what makes difference.
Have you heard of Liminal Space? When we’re in a season of transition, we’re in Liminal Space, which is the in-between. It’s the uncomfortable place of waiting between what was familiar and the unknown of the next.
The word liminal comes from the Latin word ‘limen’, meaning threshold – any point or place of entering or beginning. So while it can be physical space like a hallway, it better describes an emotional or spiritual space, where you’re going through a life change (had a baby, started a new job, retired, got a puppy!), grieving a loss, or even experiencing a crisis of faith.
Liminal Space is not just a waiting room; it is a sacred threshhold.
According to Richard Rohr, liminal space is a place of deep transformation because in these moments of uncertainty, we are most teachable, most open to change, and most available to God’s work in our lives.
Liminal Space can be so helpful because:
- It Strips Away Illusions of Control - In liminal space, we realize how little control we actually have. This can be frightening, but it also invites us to surrender to God’s guidance in a deeper way.
- It Cultivates Trust and Faith - The unknown invites us to lean into trust—trust in God’s timing, trust in His goodness, and trust that He is leading us somewhere new and necessary.
- It Expands Our Capacity for Growth - Just like the butterfly strengthens its wings in the cocoon, we too are transformed in the uncertainty of the in-between.
When we stop resisting the discomfort of uncertainty, we allow ourselves to be shaped by it.
What we resist, persists. So rather than fighting the uncertainty of transition (and staying stuck), how can we embrace it and grow?
- Lean into yourself – Meaning, acknowledge the discomfort. Validate your feelings and give yourself some compassion. It’s okay to feel unsettled. Naming it helps you move through it with awareness rather than avoidance.
- Lean on God - Instead of rushing to escape the uncertainty, use this time to dig deeper into His Truths and build a new intimacy with Him. Explore some different spiritual tools, apps, readings, etc.* Remembering events in your past when He showed up can help you trust Him with your future.
- Lean on Others - Liminal seasons can feel isolating. Surround yourself with trusted friends and mentors who aren't uncomfortable when you lament and don't rush your process; AND, who point you back to Truth.
So, to recap:
Any transition can be seen as liminal space. And the uncertainty here offers a chance for deep transformation. If you find yourself in a season of in-between, know that God is at work in ways you cannot yet see. Trust the process, embrace the discomfort, and lean into the transformation that awaits.
Transformation takes time but God is ALWAYS at work; and,
When we can't find the sun, we can discover a deeper place in the Son
If you're in transition, does this concept of Liminal Space resonate? What is one thing you can do to more actively wait rather than escape into negative numbing (i.e. food, shopping, netflix, etc.)?
And if you've experienced difficult transition in the past, I'd love to hear (and share if you allow) what's worked for you and how God met you in it! In the meantime, know that I'm
Celebrating YOU!
Maggie. 💜
*I'll include more resources in an upcoming email but here are a few to get you started (let me know if you need something specific):
