Transitions are inevitable.
From single to dating. From being a parent with a house filled with children to an empty-nester. From leading full time to retirement then volunteering…. But what about the in between?

What do you do in the space that isn’t quite where you were and not quite where you’re going? It’s like standing in a doorway, the questions hanging like ornaments in the air above you.

There are a few things that might be running through your head.

Why am I here? How do I get from where I am to where I want to be. Do I push ahead? Do I turn around? Do I wait?

In his book, The Magician’s Nephew*, C.S. Lewis describes the place of transition as The Wood between the Worlds. (This book gives the first story of how the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve came to rule Narnia. Trust me, you want to read this book). 

In this “in between place”, Polly – one of the main characters, doesn’t realize where she is, at first. She has unexpectedly been thrown from the colorful, bright, noisy surroundings of London into a quiet forest of another world. There is no breeze. No other voices. In fact, the place is so still, you can almost hear the trees growing and groaning. This forest is teeming with pools and soft, luscious grass. She can rest there momentarily, but she can’t stay.

You see, Polly must make a decision in this place. Each of the pools leads to a different world. She must choose which world she will go to next.

But, the longer she lingers, the more she forgets. 
She forgets who she is. 
She forgets her friends. 
She begins to forget her part in the story. She lies down and begins to fall asleep.

I know how she feels. Transitions, especially long ones, can feel sticky, tricky and exhausting. Like Polly I can be tempted to lie down and forget my part in the story. I am tempted to forget the catalyst that began this whole adventure.

Perhaps, you can relate to me and Polly. Perhaps, the exhausting pull of yesterday drains you of the strength you once had to pull tomorrow into today. Or maybe you feel disoriented not quite sure what’s next.

Friend, what if we just take a deep breath and just wait for a moment in this in-between place?

Wait for the whisper of God… inhale the breath of God and allow it to refresh you, friend. It’s been a long journey to this place. Let’s just breathe and let go of all the pressure for a moment.

Wait for the Comforter and allow him to comfort you.   

The truth is that there is a part of us that dies in this wood between the worlds. The cross, too, is a place of transition, from one world into another.  This is the place where we must give up something. But the comforter is as close as our next breath.

Wait for the life giving Spirit of God to blow away yesterday’s debris. He will clear away the fog so that we can see the day breaking. Let the unrelenting winds of Holy Spirit surround each of us. Friend, let Him invigorate you and cause your Spirit to rise to the occasion. Or as author and speaker Lisa Max says, bring your spirit back to attention and reset your vision. Remember who you are!

Lean on Him with confidence. You were called into this place and His faithfulness will carry you into what is next. And when you cross over you will be confident of His pleasure and His presence.

Ready? Set? … I’ll see you on the other side.