Liminal Spaces: When You’re Not Where You Were, But Not Yet Where You’re Going

There are seasons in life that feel like standing in a hallway—one door closed behind you, but the next hasn’t opened yet. You’re not where you used to be, but you’re not fully where you’re going either. These are called liminal spaces—the in-between places that can feel unsettling, uncertain, and sometimes painfully slow.

I know these seasons well. They’re the times when the familiar has ended, but the new hasn’t yet taken shape. Maybe it’s leaving a job but not starting the next one, watching your children grow but not knowing who you are outside of motherhood, or simply realizing your soul is restless for something more.

The Bible shows us that God often does His deepest work in these spaces. Jacob wrestled with God all night before stepping into a new name and identity as Israel (Genesis 32:28). Israel wandered the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land. The disciples sat in the silence of Saturday before the joy of resurrection Sunday.

These stories remind us that the “in-between” isn’t wasted—it’s sacred ground. God stretches us here. He untangles false beliefs, grows new strengths, and prepares us for the place He’s leading us to.

I’ve found that liminal spaces are where God teaches me to surrender. They strip away the illusion of control and invite me to trust Him more deeply. I don’t get to plan every step—I learn to follow His voice, one step at a time. And while it feels uncomfortable, it is also freeing.

So if you find yourself in-between, here are three gentle reminders:

1. Don’t rush the process. God is forming something in the waiting.

2. Pay attention to the whispers. The questions and longings surfacing may be breadcrumbs pointing you toward purpose.

3. Anchor yourself in Him. When nothing feels secure, His presence is your constant.

This hallway won’t last forever. The door will open. But don’t miss the holy work happening in the in-between. It may be the very place where God is preparing you for your greatest transformation yet.

Reflection Prompts

Take a few minutes this week to journal through these questions:

1. Where in my life right now do I feel “in-between”?

2. What is God inviting me to let go of in this season—and what might He be asking me to embrace?

3. How can I anchor myself in His presence daily while I wait for the next door to open?

Renewed in hope,

M.