Liminal space is the time between the “what was” and the “next.” It is a place of transition, a season of waiting, and not knowing. Liminal space is where all transformation takes place, if we learn to wait and let if form us.
Richard Rohr, one of my favorite authors and theologians describes liminal space as:
“where we are betwixt and between the familiar and the completely unknown. There alone is our old world left behind, while we are not yet sure of the new existence. That’s a good space where genuine newness can begin. Get there often and stay as long as you can by whatever means possible…This is the sacred space where the old world is able to fall apart, and a bigger world is revealed. If we don’t encounter liminal space in our lives, we start idealizing normalcy. The threshold is God’s waiting room. Here we are taught openness and patience as we come to expect an appointment with the divine Doctor.”
Since I left my ADS position in mid-December, I have been in a time of liminal space, and am having a great time! This is not a time without activity. I’ve been involved with leading two spiritual retreats, was contracted to lead the staff of a non-profit through a group debriefing of the Intercultural Development Inventory and have done a significant number of individual debriefings for the same non-profit’s staff members and also for quite a few individuals from the two North Carolina conferences of the UMC. I’m doing more work as a Spiritual Director and have some additional opportunities on the horizon to do some teaching on spirituality, retreat leading, and intercultural competency and cultural humility work. I’m even planning to co-lead a breakout session on racial reconciliation at the Annual Gathering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina with my sister in Christ, Reggie Edwards who chose our topic “If We’re in Christ, We’re in this Together!”
The most enjoyable part of this time in liminal space has been the number of holy conversations that I have been having with people of faith who I’ve felt led to talk with, and more importantly, listen to. God has prompted me to make a list of people and I’ve been making the rounds! I’ve also had a few people reach out to me who have shared that they’ve been led to do so. Each and every conversation has given me something to think about, and my “New Thing” spreadsheet is growing! I’ve also been paying attention to job openings in churches and faith-based non-profits, just in case something opens up that lines up with my call, but so far nothing has appeared that I’ve felt led to apply for.
Here’s some of my current pondering:
- Should I form a non-profit to focus on spiritual formation and direction and include intercultural competency and racial healing work? It’s becoming increasingly clear to me that we can’t grow but so close to God without growing closer to the vast expanse of God’s diverse people. Forming a non-profit would allow me to receive grant funding so I could offer my services, regardless of one’s ability to pay.
- Should I continue to offer my services as an independent contractor, allowing those receiving services to figure out how to come up with the financial resources to pay?
- Should I take on a part time ministry role of some sort to have some reliable and consistent income and do freelance work that clearly lines up with my call during the rest of the time?
These are some of the questions I’m pondering during this time in liminal space. I’m in no hurry. And, I’m convinced that if I get in the way too much, I may miss out on what God has planned for me. In the meantime, I’m gonna keep saying “yes” to the things that I’m invited to do that line up with where God is leading me. I’m gonna keep meeting with my spiritual director and I’m going to continue to pay attention. I receive a sign of assurance almost every day reminding me that God’s got this. Counting my blessings for this sacred time in liminal space.
Peace y’all,
