Be Still & Know: Why Liminal Spaces Are an Invitation, Not a Punishment

You’re in between. The past version of you is gone, but the next chapter hasn’t arrived yet. You feel like life left you on read. Congrats, you're in the liminal space. 🙂

Okay, let’s be real—waiting isn’t everyone’s favorite. Whether you’re waiting for clarity on your next career move, a relationship that actually makes sense, or just for life to stop feeling like a loading screen… it’s frustrating.

Welcome to the liminal space—the sacred, uncomfortable middle ground where transformation happens.

We often see these seasons as punishment, as if God is withholding something from us. But what if the waiting isn’t about delay, but preparation? What if this in-between isn’t rejection, but an invitation?

Liminal Space: The Tension Between “No Longer” and “Not Yet”

Liminal space is the “hallway” between two doors—one that’s closed behind you and one that hasn’t opened yet. It’s the time between a promise and its fulfillment, a season of transition that feels uncertain, yet holy.

And the Bible? It’s full of liminal spaces.

• Moses & the Israelites wandered the wilderness for 40 years between slavery in Egypt and the Promised Land (Exodus 16:35).

• David was anointed king but spent YEARS hiding in caves before actually sitting on the throne (1 Samuel 16:13, 2 Samuel 5:4).

• Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the desert before stepping into His ministry (Luke 4:1-2).

See the pattern? The in-between wasn’t wasted time—it was prep time. God doesn’t rush transformation.

In every case, the waiting wasn’t wasted. It was a refining season—a space where faith was tested, character was shaped, and identity was solidified.

“Be Still & Know” – An Invitation to Trust

Psalm 46:10 says:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

But let’s be real—being still is hard. We crave control, clarity, and closure. When we don’t have it, we assume something’s wrong.

But what if God isn’t asking us to fight or figure it out? What if He’s just asking us to be still?

The Hebrew word for “be still” in this verse is “raphah”, which means to let go, to relax, to release control, to stop trying to force things. It’s not passive; it’s an active surrender. It’s choosing to trust that even when life feels uncertain, God is still moving.

Liminal Spaces Are Where We Unlearn & Relearn

In the in-between, God often strips away what no longer serves us so He can prepare us for what’s ahead.

It’s God saying, “Hey, I got this. Stop stressing and trust Me.”

Think about a caterpillar. It doesn’t just wake up as a butterfly. It spends time in the cocoon, where its old form literally dissolves before it transforms.

Liminal spaces do the same thing. They deconstruct us so God can reconstruct us. They strip away the old so God can build something better.

Old mindsets die so new ones can be born.

False identities fade so we can step into who we were truly created to be.

Control is surrendered so we can finally walk in faith.

The Israelites had to unlearn their slave mentality before they could step into freedom. David had to unlearn fear before he could lead as king. And sometimes, before we step into our next season, we have to unlearn our obsession with certainty so we can embrace faith.

So, How Do We Navigate the In-Between (without losing our mind)?

If you’re in a liminal season, here’s what you need to know:

1. Stop striving. Start surrendering.

• Instead of forcing the next step, let God lead you there (Proverbs 3:5-6). God doesn’t rush what he’s preparing.

2. Trust that waiting is working.

• Even when you don’t see it, God is preparing you. God is working behind the scenes (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting ≠ wasted time

3. Lean into the stillness.

• Your growth isn’t just about where you’re going—it’s about who you’re becoming (Romans 12:2). The best thing you can be is be present.

4. Remember that God doesn’t waste seasons.

• What’s meant for you won’t miss you. Every delay, every detour, every waiting season, and every awkward “what am I doing with my life” has a purpose (Ecclesiastes 3:1). God’s timing > your timeline.

If i’m being honest, I’ve been in the liminal space, the in-between for about a year at this point. I’m learning what stays and what goes. Being obedient without knowing fully what’s next. And that’s okay. Navigating the liminal space within community has been a God-send. 10/10 recommend. 🤍

The In-Between is Holy

It’s God is saying: “Put the to-do list down and trust Me.”

The Liminal Space = A Divine Reset.

So here’s the truth: You’re not being punished. You’re being positioned.

The liminal space is where faith is built, identity is clarified, and trust is deepened. It’s where God refines, redirects, and readies you for what’s next. God isn’t holding out on you—He’s inviting you to lean in.

So, be still. Let go. Trust. Nothing is Random

What’s coming is better than you imagined.

~Always love, Chérie

The liminal space. Photo by Steph Q on Unsplash

If you’re in the liminal space, you don’t have to go about it alone. Join us in the community chat! Where we’ll hangout Beneath the Flowers. 🌱