What's "Next" for My Life?

Living in the space between

I stood in the doorway, looking down the hall.

Lined with doors, posters, and decorations, it looked both exciting and scary. I had just turned 18 years old and thought I was ready to start this new phase of life as a college student. Now, I wasn’t so sure. What was ahead? What would come next? Would I be okay in this new place, with new classes and friends? 

Have you ever been in a place like that?

Have you ever been in a place where you were leaving something familiar behind to step into something unknown? Have you ever found yourself in the “hallways” of life, not knowing what opportunities or dangers might be lurking behind the next door?

This is known as “liminal” space, and learning how to navigate the uncertainties of this space is vital for discerning what’s next in your life.

Liminal Space

The Latin word “limen” means threshold, and in internet aesthetics, liminal spaces are empty or abandoned places that appear eerie, sad, and often surreal. 

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines liminal as “being situated at a sensory threshold or in an intermediate state, phase, or condition.”

Most of us have been in this kind of space at some point in our lives. We’ve been in seasons of transition or change—maybe before heading to college, starting a new job, getting married, starting a family, or launching a new ministry. And, often, these spaces can feel eerie and surreal.

So, what do we do in this liminal space? Micah 7:7 says, “But I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” 

Below are three common questions during this period of waiting and a few suggestions as you seek the Lord’s direction.

Question #1- What Should I Do While Waiting?

I wish I could go back and remind that 18-year-old girl that no amount of worrying would help her. I wish I could share with her the joy and benefit of living in wonder about all that was to come. 

I wish I could help her enjoy the journey.

Our natural chemical reaction during times of ambiguity is often an increase in cortisol. This chemical (also called the stress hormone) can lead us to overprocess, worry, and diminish trust.

Worry can often remove Jesus from the equation and place us at the center of life. Worry demonstrates our inability to lean into God’s guidance and direction at these threshold moments. But there is an alternative to worry.

Liminal space is an opportunity to slow down and enter a season of discernment. In this time, we have a choice—we can live in worry… or wonder.

Living in wonder means asking, ‘I wonder what God is up to?’ ‘I wonder what opportunity will come my way?’ ‘I wonder how this transition will shape me more into the image of Christ?’

The position of wonder allows hope and excitement to form strong synaptic bonds in our brains, creating links between opportunity, trust, and success. Wonder can also adjust our perspective and connection to our Creator.

It fosters contentment in Christ. Are you choosing worry, or are you leaning into wonder? 

Question #2- What If God Wants to Disrupt My Plans?

In Acts 16, we read about the missionary journey of Paul, Silas, and Timothy. The three of them had plans to go to Asia Minor to share the gospel, but the Holy Spirit stopped them… twice!

This must have felt like a liminal space for Paul.

He had a plan and was ready to move forward, but he was told to wait, adjust, and be patient for a new plan.

In his book Acts and the Movement of God, Steve Addison writes, “God sometimes frustrates our plans before revealing His.” 

So, what happens if God wants to change our plans? 

One of the saddest things I have encountered in my journey with pioneers, church planters, and other ministry leaders is their tendency to ‘jump ship’ when their plans don’t go as they had hoped. The wrestling between commitment to our plan and commitment to Christ’s direction becomes a constant battleground.

Embrace liminal space as an opportunity to foster wonder. Perhaps God wants to disrupt your plans for something even better.

Question #3- How Do I Step Out In Faith? 

Psalm 5:3 says, ‘In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I plead my case to you and watch expectantly.’ 

It is a beautiful thing to cry out to our Lord, knowing He hears our voice and then watch expectantly for what He wants to do. Living in the liminal space and being brave enough to take each step as directed by Christ takes courage. 

What I didn’t know at 18 years old was how God would show up in every one of my ‘next’ steps. He was there through exciting times, challenging times, and even dark times.

God walks with us. Our faith is deepened when we see the ways He shows up. Our hope is activated while we watch expectantly. 

Are you in a season of ‘next’? Is God calling you to something new? 

If you’re in a discernment time and want someone to process these questions with you, please reach out. Mobilize the Church and Next Initiative are here to help you in each of your ‘next’ steps.

My prayer is that you’ll find incredible wonder and joy in the liminal spaces of life and discern where God might be leading you next!

Aimee Pratt is the Director of Next-Initiative and serves on the team with Mobilize the Church. You can reach her at aimee@next-initiative.com or by calling 614.226.1304.