I've been reading a lot lately about change and the concept of liminality. Liminality (from the Latin word līmen) means "a threshold." It is the quality of ambiguity which occurs at the beginning of a major change, and it can be disorienting. During a liminal stage, one is standing between their previous way of structuring their identity, time, or community, and a new way which has not yet been revealed or accomplished.
This is exactly where I've been since my husband retired a little over a year ago. He is no longer the pastor of our home congregation, and we are attending there only sporadically. We have given up the plethora of duties and roles we assumed there, and although we have not been idle, I feel a lack of permanence. This is scary, but also exciting. What will I do next? What does God have planned? Can I still be useful during this late stage of my life?
This transitional spot I'm standing in reminds me of chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews (my favorite book). It begins with:
" Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
Then it lists many heroes of the Old Testament, describing the things they did in obedience to God's call (this has been called the hall of fame of faith). It ends by saying:
"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." Hebrews 11:39-40
You and I are part of that "great cloud of witnesses." I don't know where God is taking me next, but I know He has a plan-- a plan that is better than anything I might dream up for myself. I may not feel comfortable, but I'm comforted! You should be, too.
For more posts about change see:
Are You Willing to Change?
A Generational Change
Fanning the Flame #10 — Creating a Culture For Change
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