Living in Limbo

A year later and we are still living in limbo not sure when this pandemic will end. For many of us this uncertainty has been exacerbated by ongoing lock-ins or outs, isolation, online overload, and distressing loss. None of us knows when—or if—life will go back to normal. Ambiguity is hard to handle, and it just goes on and on. And on.

Would it help to look at others who lived in limbo for long periods and survived? This lectionary draws on the words and experiences of individuals who spent years in uncertainty: Sarah & Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Esther, and Daniel. They experienced uncertainty sometimes in the face of unimaginable loss while they waited and waited. And waited.

Included with this lectionary is a study guide that takes you deeper into the experiences of the individuals and encourages you to derive personal lessons from how they waited. It could be used over a period of time, perhaps one individual each week between now and Easter. The lectionary includes choices as different words stand out during your study. The links below take you to the study guide and a printable version of this lectionary.

• Living in Limbo Lectionary
• Living in Limbo Study Guide

Entering the Throne Room

Yahweh! The LORD! You are gracious and compassionate! You are slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness. You lavish unfailing love on us. When I consider who You are, these are some of the words that come to mind. (Choose any of the words below or add your own.)

• Shield
• Great Reward
• Provider
• The Living One who truly sees me
• Abiding Presence
• I AM WHO I AM
• Friend
• Wisdom
• Light

Seeking Mercy

You are a great and awesome God who keeps Your covenant of love with us. I try and fail. Every day. If not for the covering of Your blood, I would be covered with shame. (Choose any of the prompts below or add your own.)

• I have sinned by _____.
• I have rebelled against You by _____.
• I have refused to listen to Your voice and have _____.
• I have worshipped _____ instead of You.

You forgive rebellion and sin but don’t necessarily remove their results. As I struggle with sin and face its consequences, help me not to harden my heart like the Children of Israel or Pharaoh did.

Lord, listen!

Lord, forgive!

Lord, hear and act!

Being Still

You spoke to Moses as to a friend. Will You also speak to me, Friend of sinners? (Choose from the questions below or ask your own. You may find it helpful to begin listening by meditating on the experiences of the individual in parenthesis.)

• What new and uncertain path are You leading me down? (Abraham & Sarah)
• Circumstances sometimes seem intended for evil when You intend them for good. Will You show me how You are working? (Joseph)
• What is my “for such a time as this” in the current situation? (Esther)
• How could I honor You by speaking and acting with wisdom and tact in my relationships? (Daniel)

I’m listening and surrendering.

(This space indicates a period of stillness.)

Advocating

You have opened the door to Your throne room. I humbly keep on knocking, knowing You will not become angry because You welcome my repeated requests. (Choose any of the prompts below or add your own.)

• Like Sarah, I sometimes laugh at the thought of finding hope in the hopeless, but You specialize in doing the impossible. I boldly ask You to _____ as You fill my mouth with laughter.
• Like Abraham, I ask You to spare _____.
• Like Moses, _____ needs Your presence. Will you abide with them?
• Like Joseph and Daniel, I know that it is beyond my power to reveal mysteries, but nothing is beyond Yours. Will You reveal Yourself to _____?
• Like Esther, I offer myself to be used by You to _____.

Going Forth

I will follow Your paths wherever they may lead. If in the process, my desires, freedoms, comforts, and self die, then so they perish. May all peoples I encounter be blessed through me, and may Your name be ever blessed!

---

Further Exploration

• You can find a printable version of this lectionary here: Living in Limbo Lectionary.
• You can find the accompanying study guide here: Living in Limbo Study Guide.
• Two songs: “Is He Worthy?” by Chris Thomlin and “Abide with Me” by Henry Francis Lyte. (Try singing or reading the second as part of your advocating for those in distress.)
• For thoughts on others who waited: Those Who Wait by Tanya Marlow.

---

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash