Christmas 2025 has passed in the blink of an eye. The Christmas tree was removed along with the trash, the children were more interested in the box in which the toy came in than the toy itself, and the adults went back to work. The beautiful winter snow may beautify us with its presence, but the hustle and bustle only accelerates. And in just under a week, we’ll be in time for the next holiday: New Year’s Eve.
Like the local Hobby Lobby store, it feels like Christmas and New Year’s are over before the season really begins. But behind the scenes, we are thinking of a mirage of emotions. Some people are disappointed and frustrated. Is it sad or envious? For others, fatigue, burnout, and a longing for time and space to rest, recharge, and reflect sets in. Following us is the cultural pressure to rush to “the next” before fully recovering from one season.
As we prepare for 2026, it is essential to recognize the beauty and value of the in-between. And not just in the week between Christmas and New Years, there are spaces in our lives that call for reflection, but we rarely give ourselves the time. Because like the seven days between these two holidays, we can feel a mixture of relief and sadness. The preparations leading up to Christmas are exhausting, and it can be depressing if expectations aren’t met. But even if that happens, it feels like (and in some ways, it actually does) that special day comes one moment and goes the next. But what if we began to see this space of unfinished grief and unanswered prayer as an invitation? Why not sit with fear and hope coexisting? What will coexist in your life?
Because what if God worked as powerfully in the interim as He does in the milestones?
Biblical Examples of Divine Waiting
The Bible contains many stories about waiting and coexistence. We see spaces where people feel joy and sadness at the same time. For example, this morning I was reading about the temple being rebuilt in the book of Ezra. However, at the end of Chapter 3, the author writes these beautiful, compelling, yet heartbreaking words:
“When the builders had finished the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests put on their vestments and took their place and blew the trumpets; and the Levites, the descendants of Asaph, praised the Lord with the sound of cymbals, as King David had ordained. They sang this song to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving: “His faithful love for Israel endures forever!” Then all the people praised the Lord with great joy, as the foundation of the temple of the Lord was laid. However, many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who were present at the construction of the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of the new temple. But others were screaming with joy. The screams of joy and cries mixed together to create a loud sound that could be heard far away. ” (Ezra 3:10-12, New Translation of the Bible).
Have you been caught? People screamed for joy and cried together as the loud noises could be heard from far away. Imagine how this sounds. It’s like attending a funeral and a wedding at the same time. But the beauty of the Bible is that two things can be true at the same time, and that it is not only possible, but healthy to process it this way.
Another example is Israel’s journey between Egypt and the Promised Land in the Book of Exodus. The prophecy spoken at Genesis 15:13 was fulfilled for 400 years. Imagine being in the waiting room for that long.
Finally, consider Jesus in the tomb after his death and before his resurrection. Jesus told his disciples that he would return, but they still doubted. They wondered, “Where is he?” “Will his promises remain true?”
The words of Psalm 27:14 remind us all to wait on the Lord. And that’s what each of these stories shows. Some waited more patiently than others. Some people interfered when they shouldn’t have. Some did not. But we can learn this lesson from history: “Wait on the Lord. Be strong and take courage to wait on him” (NIV). And this is good news. Because God’s presence is with us in every season, especially in seasons of waiting and transition.
God’s Presence in Transition
Before I quit my job to write full-time, I taught high school English for five years. talked about
There were a lot of them, but that season was like a dry wasteland for me. I knew God had a purpose and a plan, but I was exhausted. You may have been or currently have a job that you hate. Maybe you are waiting for your spouse to arrive. For healing to come. Seeing a loved one come to faith. No matter what you are waiting for, I want to make it clear that God is with us in this transition, but He is not in a hurry to end or begin.
Isaiah 55:8-9 has these words: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways” (NIV). God’s ways do not match our ways, and God’s mind does not work the way we do. In the book Beyond the Cosmos, we even learn that God operates beyond the dimensions of time and space that we can understand. It’s a little scary and overwhelming when I think about it, but I remember two things:
1. God is completely and completely in control.
2. Formation occurs during rest.
Practical spiritual practices for those in between
No matter what season you’re walking through today, take a moment 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 time to stop and reflect not only shows gratitude, but also helps you prepare for what comes next. It also reminds us of God’s never-ending and ever-steadfast faithfulness. And that’s something we can all be reminded of. why? Because we get tired and weary. We end up defeated and discouraged. If you need a reminder, that’s okay.
Then list what you’ll release and what you’ll carry over into the next season. This is not a New Year’s resolution, but an attitude of heart that surrenders to the Lord. Ask God what needs to be adjusted in your life and be obedient.
Finally, offer a prayer of surrender. This may be the scariest step, but it doesn’t have to be. Guys, God has good plans for you. I understand that the seasons of nature and waiting times can be difficult, but waiting and resting are never wasted.
prayer
Dear God,
Understanding the value of between seasons is not easy for us. We barely survive one period, but can’t wait to get to the next one. When we are tempted to think this way, remember that you have a purpose and plan for us each season. Reflect on where we have been and where we are going, and encourage us when we are tired. Lord, we love, praise, and thank You for getting us through this time so well. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/AlenaPaulus
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up, Amber looked for resources on faith and mental health, but couldn’t find anything. Now, she gives hope to young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond just reading the Bible and praying more. Because even though we love Jesus, we can still be plagued by anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help you navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
