Somehow, in the blink of an eye, Christmas for 2025 has come and gone. Christmas trees have been taken out with the trash, the kids are more interested in the boxes the toys came in than the toys themselves, and adults are back at work. A beautiful winter snow might grace us with its presence, but the hustle and bustle has only quickened. And just in time for another holiday in just under a week—New Year's Eve.
Like a local Hobby Lobby store, it feels like Christmas and New Year's are over before the full season even takes place. Behind the scenes, however, we think a mirage of emotions. For some, we're let down and frustrated. Sad or envious. For others, fatigue, burnout, and the longing for time and space to rest, recharge, and reflect set in. Digging at our heels is a cultural pressure to rush into "next" before we've fully recovered from one season.
As we prepare for 2026, it's essential to recognize the beauty and value of the in-between. And not just the week between Christmas and New Year's, but the spaces in our lives that beg for reflection, but we rarely give the time. Because, like the 7 days between these two holidays, we can feel a mix of relief and sadness. The build-up to Christmas is monumental, and when it doesn't meet expectations, it can be depressing. But even when it does, it feels like the special day is here one moment and gone the next (and in some ways it is). But what if we learned to see these spaces of unfinished grief and unanswered prayers as invitations? Invitations to sit with the fear and hope coexisting? What would coexist in your life?
Because what if God works just as powerfully in the in-between as He does in the milestones?
Bible Examples of Sacred Waiting
In the Scriptures, we find numerous stories of waiting and coexistence. We see spaces where people are joyful and mourning at once. Just this morning, for instance, I was reading about the Temple being rebuilt in the book of Ezra. At the end of chapter 3, however, the author pens these beautifully compelling, yet heartbreaking words:
"When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid. However, many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had witnessed the construction of the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noise that could be heard far in the distance" (Ezra 3:10-12, NLT).
Did you catch it? The people were shouting for joy and weeping together in a loud noise that could be heard from a great distance. Imagine what this sounded like. It would be like attending a funeral and a wedding at once. But the beauty of the Scripture is this: two things can be true at once, and it's not only possible, but healthy to process in this way.
Another example comes from Israel's journey in the book of Exodus between Egypt and the Promised Land. For 400 years, the prophecy spoken in Genesis 15:13 was fulfilled. Imagine being in the waiting room for that long.
Finally, think about Jesus in the tomb after His death but before His resurrection. Though He told His Disciples He was coming back, they still doubted. They wondered, "Where is He?" "Is His promise going to stay true?"
The words in Psalm 27:14 remind us all to wait for the Lord. And that's what each of these stories illustrates. Some waited more patiently than others. Some interfered when they shouldn't have. Some didn't. But we can learn a lesson from history: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (NIV). And this is good news because God's presence is with us in every season, but especially those of waiting or transition.
God's Presence in Transition
Before I left my job to write full-time, I taught HS English for five years. I've talked about
this a lot, but that season was like a dry wilderness to me. I knew God had a purpose and plan, but I grew weary and tired. You may have been or currently are stuck in a job you don't like. Maybe you're waiting on a spouse to come along. For healing to arrive. To see a loved one come to faith. No matter what it is you're waiting for, I want to be clear that God is with us in the transition, but He doesn't rush endings or beginnings.
In Isaiah 55:8-9, we read these words: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways" (NIV). God's ways are not in alignment with our ways, nor does His mind work like ours. In the book Beyond the Cosmos, we even learn that God operates beyond the time and space dimensions we can comprehend. While that's a little scary and overwhelming to think about, it reminds me of two things:
1. God is in complete and total control.
2. Formation happens in the pauses.
Practical Spiritual Practices for the In-Between
No matter what in-between season you're walking through today, I want to gently encourage you to reflect on where you've been and where you're going. I prefer to do this in a journal, but you can also talk to God while walking or driving. Whatever works best for you!
Taking the time to pause and reflect not only expresses gratitude, but it also helps us prepare for whatever comes next. It also reminds us of God's never-ending and ever-steadfast faithfulness. And that's something we all could use a reminder of. Why? Because we grow tired and weary. We grow defeated and discouraged. It's okay to need a reminder.
Then, I encourage you to name what to release and what to carry forward into this next season. This isn't a New Year's resolution, but a heart posture you surrender to the Lord. Ask Him what needs to be aligned in your life, and then be obedient.
Finally, pray a prayer of surrender. This might be the scariest step, but it doesn't have to be. God has good plans for you, friends. I know that wilderness seasons and periods of waiting can be grueling, but the waiting and pauses are never wasted.
Prayer
Dear God,
Learning to see the value in in-between seasons doesn't come easy to us. We barely survive one period of time and can't wait to get to the next. When we're tempted to think this way, remind us that you have a purpose and plan for us in every season. Please help us to reflect on where we've been and where we're going, and encourage us when we grow weary. We love, praise, and thank you for leading us through these times well, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/AlenaPaulus
