Thresholds

“Thresholds are the space between, when we move from one time to another as in the threshold of dawn to day or of dusk to dark; one space to another, as in times of inner or outer journeying or pilgrimage; and one awareness to another, as in times when our old structures start to fall away and we begin to build something new."

I love doorways, especially ancient doorways of churches long forgotten.  What fascinates me most about this doorways is looking down at the threshold.  Often the threshold was substantial, a place where one could stand neither inside nor outside, simply in-between.

In Celtic spirituality Thresholds are a thin place - the space where heaven and earth meet, a place of transition.  When I was on Sabbatical in Ireland, I walked around the thousand year old ruins of abbeys, churches and grand cathedrals, I was struck by this idea and drawn into the doorways of these once majestic holy places.  Who walked through these doors?  What beginnings lie before them?   What endings were they leaving behind?  What were they waiting for in those times in-between?

Standing on the threshold is a space in-between here and there, it is neither a beginning or an ending, it is simply a pause, where one thing stops and another thing starts...How often do we find ourselves here on the threshold, waiting for the door to open or to close?  Standing patiently in the doorway waiting with anticipation for what comes next? 

I find New Year’s Day one such threshold, where we ponder the past and wonder about the future.   Lingering in the doorway with one foot in the past and the other in the future in this space in-between.  It is an opportunity to pause and reflect as well as a chance to dream and wait.  Sometimes the threshold can be a place of safety, where we stand and wait.  Other times it can be a starting place for adventure as we step out into the unknown. 

So as you stand on the threshold of another year…what does the year ahead hold for you? 

As we stand on the threshold of another year...What lies ahead for us as we step over the threshold and begin another year together?  What are we leaving behind as we cross the threshold? How can we walk confidently over the threshold into all that God has in store for us? 

"When we stand at the threshold we can't possibly know what awaits us."

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 
The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:7-8