Liminal Space The in-between place or space. According to definition: “To be in a liminal space means to be on the precipice of something new but not quite there yet.” You can be in a liminal space physically, emotionally or metaphorically. They go on to say rather succinctly that “Being in liminal space can be incredibly uncomfortable for most people.” https://www.verywellmind.com., Oct. 20, 2021) I can be counted among those that find themselves in liminal space. Quite frankly, it’s hard to talk about liminal space when I struggle so much with it, but I suspect that you also share my struggle.
More Than an Address:
As an Ohio transplant now in North Carolina, I am physically in a new space, renting while we figure out where we should eventually buy our forever home. The place we have is a lovely place with an even lovelier yard, which I am most pleased about. But then as Christians, aren’t we all living in liminal space, waiting for our home in eternity with Jesus while living day to day managing the mundane? How can you interchange thoughts of a physical home with a metamorphic spiritual one?
Jesus told us in John before he departed, that “He was leaving to go prepare a place for us…that where he would go, we also will go” (John 14: 1-3). We can comfort ourselves when others pass on in this life that they are now at peace in a better place, if they knew Jesus. We reconcile the struggle we face today with the hope of tomorrow. So, what is it about liminal space that is so uncomfortable? I say it’s the unknown, the how long, and the longing factors.
THE UNKNOWN:
The unknown factor that liminal space is comprised of is the stuff that makes our head spin. We are creatures of habit, not just the routine before sleep habits, but our mindsets can make us spin that hamster wheel of “what-ifs” until exhaustion. What if we don’t get paid? What if this new thing doesn’t work out? Where should I go? What should I do? Should I have done something different? Did I get it wrong? We second guess ourselves and question God. Why am I here? Did I miss something? We fear the unknown and we like to analyze, name or diagnosis the problem to make us feel better as if we now understand the unknown part better enough to live with it.
HOW LONG:
The how long factor is the question and answer that most people say they want to know, but really don’t if truth be told. If one of my son’s knew how long his medical journey and recovery would take after his life-saving surgeries happened, would he have still gone through with it? Yes, he would have, but during the ordeal it was often 3 steps forward and 10 back. Defeating and frustrating cycles, brought on bouts of anger and feelings of despair as goals took longer to accomplish. Other hurdles would present themselves making him feel powerless to change anything, and disappointed as months went by. Liminal space is uncomfortable because we remain in this space for far longer than we ever would think or hope to be in. Days, weeks, months, years. Most of the time spent wanting to be somewhere else, do something else, or be something else.
LONGING:
Answers to problems, resolutions to strife, relief from oppression, or getting out of the funk of the monotonous mundane leaves us wanting more. More of something else, anything else as an alternative to now leads us to the longing factor. We want that next, new thing. As I alluded to earlier, we feel we’re meant for something more. Liminal space is often filled with dissatisfaction with the now.
Ever heard the term, “Bloom where you’re planted?” I hated it. Why? Because they were right, but I always felt like there was more than what was happening right now, more to come, more opportunities to change the now. It was like I had some sort of excuse for not “going all in” because I was meant for more than just this. Now I know, that’s pride speaking. My quest for more meant I gave less than the best, as I though I was saving myself for something more important than now.
Longing to be more is not just some noble quest. There is truth in striving to go beyond the now to reach a better future. Truth in “the already, but not yet” of the Kingdom of God. We are constantly in light of His presence being transformed into His likeness day by day, thought upon thought, old ways dying, and new ones being lived out, albeit slow and intentional. Yet, we cannot not skip, deny, or wish away the liminal space we are in, so what are we to do with it?
SONG:
“Give me Jesus” I first heard this song sung by Fernando Ortega (1999) in a quaint concert he gave in Colorado. Part of the lyrics say,
Give me Jesus
Even at times when I can’t see
I’ll trust in the hand that’s holding me
There’s only one thing that I need
Just give me Jesus…
All my hope, All my trust is in You
All my life, all my joy in Jesus…
Even if everything I know
Is taken away, I won’t lose hope
I’ll cling to the One who won’t let go
Just give me Jesus…
I think of this song when I am disappointed, dissatisfied, or disillusioned. Liminal space can be a place of wrestling, striving, and struggle. Yet, there is hope in this place. Because it is liminal, there is certainty that it will eventually give way to the new thing, the hope of tomorrow. Because it is liminal it does have a limit, the known will become known, and the waiting will give way to being on the other side of the mountain. The song reminds me that in this liminal space, Jesus is there with me. I don’t have to wait alone or unaffected by His presence. I can enter in this time, right now and lift my struggles, my questions, my impatience to Him who holds all things in His hands, including me.
It also means that instead of excuses of why not, I should step out in faith and show up for the present, for the now. The Lord promises to be with us always, after all, He is Emmanuel. He promises us He will guide us; “He is the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6 “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105.
He will show us the way to traverse in this place, show us things about ourselves, and speak truth to us, and shine the light in dark places that have tempted us to stay or hold back from going all in. Liminal space is the cocoon phase of our walk on this earth amid the mundane to the wonderful transformation Jesus has for us.
