Jonathan asked a question in his post, The Liminal Problem. He says, “I’ve highlighted many of my concerns about the traditional models of church but at the same time, I have tremendous hope for what will emerge over the next twenty to fifty years. I believe the conversation, although painful at times, will have a tremendous regenerative affect on the church. I, like many, believe we are in a reformation period. But the in between time is called a liminal period. It’s the not was but not yet.” Then he asked, “What do you feel about the liminal problem?” Here was my response that I elaborated on:

Your question has shadowed me all day. The phrase that has been echoing in my mind has been this book title, “Between the Dreaming and Coming True”. That is where I feel I am and we are. Almost like a trapeze artist letting go of one bar but not quite grasping the other. It is in this space of air-time that the magic appears. It is in the flying––between the bars––that the dance of grace begins. Ron Lagerstrom, my spiritual director, says to enjoy this space, this time; not to rush it, but view it as a gift.

But as you said, Jonathan, “This lack of an answer allows many to simply dismiss the conversation. And they can if they want to. They don’t have to go down this road.” And that’s true. They don’t need to follow our dreams. They need to follow their God-dream, and us, ours. How boring and limited it would be if we all had the same God-dreams.

But I for one sense the need to begin dream-experimenting. Where the dreaming walks with the coming true and the coming true glides with the dreaming. That as we experiment with the dream, a place where people help each other “put into practice” right thinking about following Jesus comes true.

I figure we can only dream so much in the mind and classroom. Eventually we need to bring our God-dreams into the lab and the field. As we do, our dreams will alter, change, and evolve, hopefully giving birth to life-giving dreams that live, move, and breathe. This is what I am longing for…to put on the field vest and begin getting my hands dirty living into the dream. But is it time?

Ultimately, when it comes down to it, we HAVE to follow the dream that Jesus, our Lord, has placed in the core of our hearts. To do otherwise, would be the sin.

Between the Dreaming and Coming True; we find ourselves in the and longing for the coming true. May the dream come true……here as it is in heaven.

How do you feel about being in this in-between, liminal space? What God-dreams do you have?