Liminal time or space is transition time or space. It’s that space between the end of one thing and the beginning of another. Liminal space can be seen in the gradual change in color from deep water to shallow water. Liminal time is the resting period between two events or periods of time.
The picture above is in Costa Rica in the south near Uvita. The ocean here does a hard transition between ocean and where the river flows into the ocean. And it is a great visual of how many modern day transitions occur. Abruptly. Like a light switch that has no dimmer. A bit like how day turns to night in Costa Rica. One minute the sun is setting and the next it is DARK!
We are in a liminal season or week at least right now between Christmas Day and the start of the new year. It is a kinda of almost but not quite time. We might be back at work physically but mentally and even task-wise we really aren’t. The emotions leading up to and which are part of Christmas Day just fell off the proverbial cliff. There is nothing left to anticipate or do or fret about. We might be anticipating the start of a new year without even knowing how the year past actually played out.
How do we transition well, gently, with grace for ourselves and for others? With reflection that doesn’t require anything more than a nod and an acknowledgement? What can be savored? What can we benevolently detach from? (Thanks John Eldridge for the phrase.)
Often transition well requires time and space. Unfortunately, we aren’t very good at allowing that in our instant world. Yet isn’t this an opportunity when things are a little less, well, pick a word: frantic, busy, demanding, engaged…
Looking back and looking forward are always parts of transition. But the point isn’t to develop a plan or a to-do list or a resolution. The point it seems to me of transition is flow from here to there. Gently. With purpose. With peace. Listening for God’s whisper.
What does this liminal time look like for you?
Just Sayin' 