(Guest Post by Wendy Raffaeli, Director of Investor Relations, Hope Haven Rwanda)
The events of the last year provided every citizen of earth a new variety of new things to think about – things we never thought we’d have to think about, never dreamed would come to pass or we’d have to deal with. Mental anxiety is at an all-time high, not surprisingly.
As things were beginning to close down last year, many of us missed out on activities we had planned, trips we were going to take, and just being with each other. Later, as we adjusted to doing less and being home more, people began chatting about not missing some of those things very much, if at all. Now, as the world is contemplating what things will look like later this year and in future years, but with so much still unknown, it’s a good time to reconsider the feelings and thoughts we’ve had over the last 12 months.
Have you ever heard the phrase “liminal space?”
We are all familiar with the idea of “subliminal” thoughts. But liminal? I guess if there’s a “subliminal” there has to be a “liminal,” but we don’t really talk about it much. What is it?
A dear friend shared a great devotion with our small group a few weeks ago about liminal space. It’s the “in-between” space or time. A great example of liminal space in the devotion was the page between two chapters in a book. One chapter has ended, and the next hasn’t yet begun. Kind of like where we’re living now – the “old” pre-pandemic world has ended, yet we don’t know what the “new” world will look like. We’re living in liminal-land. This one isn’t quite as short as the time between two chapters in a book. But I think it can be valuable time, even if it is uncomfortable.
How busy were we pre-pandemic? Busy. Super busy. Now? Maybe bored. Maybe busy, but not nearly as busy as we were, and it’s likely very different even if we are.
Allowing space and time for the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and speak to our souls is so important. What if we paid more attention to God’s leading in this time, rather than getting worked up about politics, government, vaccines, mandates, FOMO, etc.? “Be still and know that I am God” is a very powerful verse (Psalms 46:10). The rest of the verse says, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” What a great reminder that in the “being still” parts of our lives, God desires to be exalted.
Regardless of what happens, God will be exalted. Period. End of story. What a great privilege to be offered the opportunity to participate in that activity – exalting our God and Maker – the lover of our souls.
How better can we participate in exalting God than by intentionally allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us while we’re in this liminal space?