Content + Contending
I am content in this season of my life. Grateful for dreams come true that I'm living in. At the same time I'm contending for the dreams that God has placed in my heart that have yet to come to pass.
Have you heard of the concept of liminal space? Even if you haven’t heard of it, I’ll bet you’ve probably lived in it at one time or another.
Liminal space is the uncertain transition between where you've been and where you're going physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. To be in a liminal space means to be on the precipice of something new but not quite there yet.
It is the space in between.
Photo credit: Claire Macintyre Photography
You may not be where you’ve been, but you’re not yet where you want to be.
It’s just as fun as it sounds. 🙄
Liminal space is awkward. It’s frustrating. It can at times make you feel crazy.
Liminal space is also where many tap out, giving into the doubt that holds a megaphone in seasons of inbetween.
Liminal space can also be pregnant. It can hold purpose and build anticipation.
It can be (and often is) a training ground. It can be your practice field. Your gym.
Liminal space can refine you, if you let it. It can bring clarity and focus.
This is the crux of liminal space.
It can strengthen you or it can weaken you.
It can grow you or it can diminish you.
It can focus you or it can distract you.
It’s all about your perspective and how you choose to steward your season of inbetween.
Photo credit: Claire Macintyre Photography
Liminal space is in fact where I find myself today. (and many, many other times in my life).
How fun.
I am not where I once was. Thank you Jesus. Also, I am not yet where I would like to be.
I am content, but I am also contending.
I am learning to hold space for both to be true in my life. What does that mean?
There is so much good in my life. I have a beautiful home, a family that loves me, a fantastic job, beautiful friends, a growing business, cute puppies…. All things that I have prayed for in different seasons of my life.
I am blessed beyond measure and every day have so much to be grateful for.
I am content in this season of my life. Grateful for the gifts God has given me and the dreams come true that I am currently living in.
At the same time I am contending for the dreams that God has placed in my heart that have yet to come to pass.
I have a vision for more… greater purpose, greater impact, greater provision, greater….
Simultaneously, I’m grateful for where I am here and now.
I recognize that I am currently living the dream.
When I wake up in the morning in my own home… living a dream I prayed for.
When I walk around the city of Miami and call it home… living a dream I prayed for.
When I sit in not so small group and talk about the faithfulness of God… living a dream I prayed for.
When I snuggle with my adorable puppies… living a dream I prayed for.
When I travel the world meeting incredible people… living a dream I prayed for.
When I help clients with a business I built… living a dream I prayed for.
When I pick up the phone and call my sister… living a dream I prayed for.
When I get to lead worship in my church… living a dream I prayed for.
When I sit with my Dad and have a heartfelt conversation… living a dream I prayed for.
The list goes on and on.
While I am blessed and content, these answered prayers and dreams come true have also taught me to dream for more.
They’ve taught me to take the limits off and pray crazy, audacious prayers. They’ve taught me to believe God for bigger things that I didn’t even know to dream for in the past.
The liminal space has taught me to go for more.
One of my favorite speakers and the former Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix, Bozoma Saint John, said in an interview once that she doesn’t believe in making five year plans for the simple fact that she knows that she doesn’t currently have the capacity to dream of what might be possible in 5 years.
I love that thought.
I think that the inbetween space stewarded right can do that for you. It can teach you to believe for more.
The Bible talks about what waiting can look like in Romans 8
…waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy…”
A prototype of what waiting can look like. Joyful expectancy.
So here I am, relishing this season. Stopping to smell the roses. Practicing gratitude in moments of abundance and in moments of less.
Learning how to hold space to be content and also contending.
Believing that the same God who brought me this far will also bring me further. As it says in Philippians 1:6 “confident that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish…”
If you find yourself in this wonderful thing called liminal space let me encourage you…
Celebrate the season you’re in.
Bask in the beauty of a sunset.
Listen to the birds sing.
Give yourself the gift of doing one thing at a time.
Give the person in front of you your undivided attention.
Be present.
Practice gratitude.
Celebrate the good.
Be joyful in the waiting.
Tell stories of the faithfulness of God.
Learn the lessons of this season.
At the same time…
Pray with conviction for the vision God has given you.
Don’t allow fear to limit you.
Speak life over the dreams in your heart.
Surround yourself with people who challenge you to be + do better.
Don’t settle for less than God has promised you.
Believe God for big things.
Don’t compromise your faith, put it into action.
Choose to believe that He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 11:11)
Photo credit: Claire Macintyre Photography
You can be content and contending.
It’s the space in between.
Thankyou my love for these God inspired words of faith and encouragement. I think we’re in the same season!!
This. Right on time (Thank You, God!) and very heartfelt. I needed this. <3 You!