Abiding in the In-Between

We often talk about the seasons of life—how they shape us, stretch us, and call us deeper in our walk with God. But not every season is easily named; some aren’t marked by obvious change, but by the absence of it. These seasons feel like the edge of spring, when the ground still looks bare and we’re left wondering if anything is actually happening underneath.

These in-between seasons can be difficult—the ones that fall between hope and heartbreak, between praying and receiving, between holding on and letting go. You’re no longer where you were, but not yet where you hoped to be. And your heart feels caught somewhere between striving and surrender.

This is where I’ve been lately. Maybe you can relate.

You’ve prayed without ceasing for something close to your heart. But the breakthrough hasn’t come. Time has passed months, maybe even years, and nothing seems to change. You’ve stopped asking and started wondering: Should I keep believing, or let it go? Not doubting God’s goodness, but unclear about His will. Still holding on, but growing weary.

And it’s here in the quiet middle that God often invites us to something deeper than answers. He invites us to abide.

Abiding Isn’t Passive

There’s a tendency to see waiting as doing nothing. But abiding isn’t idleness, it’s deeply intentional. Jesus tells us, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine,” (John 15:4). That’s the staying power we’re called to, a life rooted in Him, even when the ground feels shaky.

While the world tells us to “go make it happen,” abiding invites us to stay present, grounded, and trusting the One who sees the whole picture. This is where God grows inside of us: patience, faith, humility, and compassion. And while this kind of fruit may seem less visible or glamorous, it’s the very thing that will carry us through the highs and lows of life. 

Like a tree’s roots growing quietly beneath the surface, abiding involves unseen growth. Scientists tell us that roots expand and deepen slowly, seeking nutrients and water that sustain the whole tree. This underground work might seem invisible or inactive, but it’s crucial for the tree’s health and future fruitfulness.

In the same way, when we abide in Christ, our faith quietly strengthens. I’m learning that spiritual growth isn’t flashy or fast. It’s steady, subtle, and often hidden. And if you're like me and prefer to skip to the good part, this kind of growth can be especially hard. It doesn’t happen fast—it takes patience and trust, like a tree slowly building the roots that will one day support fruit.

Surrendering the Story We Imagined

Many of us long to live a life shaped by God’s hand. We trust that His plans for us are good– because He says so in His word (Jeremiah 29:11). But we don’t always know what those plans will look like. We may not know what kind of work we’ll do, whether we’ll marry, who our children will become, or where we’ll call home. And sometimes, what we envisioned doesn’t unfold the way we hoped.

Sometimes what’s hardest to give up isn’t sin, it’s good desires. God invites us to surrender not only what’s clearly wrong, but even what feels deeply right. A certain type of career. A healed relationship. A child who walks with the Lord. Predictable rhythms. He asks us to loosen our grip because He wants us to live unburdened, free to receive what He gives, rather than clinging to what we think we must secure on our own.

Letting go doesn’t mean giving up; it means giving it to Him. When we release what we’ve been holding onto, our hands and hearts are freed to receive what God is doing next, which often looks nothing like we imagined.

In Isaiah 43:9, God speaks to His people in the midst of hardship and exile, reminding them not only of what He has done in the past but also of what He is about to do. He says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”.

Abiding creates the space to perceive this new work to notice when God is doing something different, something better, something unexpected. But it’s hard to recognize the new if we’re clinging too tightly to what we thought should be.

Faithfulness Looks Like Showing Up

When we find ourselves in those in-between seasons, it’s natural to ask, “God, what do you want me to do right now?” And honestly, sometimes the full answer isn’t clear. Often, it won’t be flashy or dramatic. It might simply be to love God and love the people around us, right where we are. That steady, faithful calling is what carries us through the unknown.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents, where each servant is entrusted with different amounts of money. Two invest what they’re given and multiply it; one hides his out of fear. The point wasn’t how much they were given, but whether they were faithful with what they had. That’s our invitation too.

Faithfulness doesn’t always look grand. Sometimes it looks like quiet obedience. Like showing up. Like sowing where we’ve been planted and trusting God to bring the increase.

So if you find yourself in a season of transition, or waiting on a prayer that feels unanswered, take heart: you are not lost, forgotten, or left behind. This, too, is part of the story. You’re being gently invited to step away from the noise, stay near to God, and let Him hold you in the tension. Even here, especially here, He is still at work. And in His presence, there is peace for today and grace for what’s still to come.

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About the Author: Tieler Giles is an author, coach, and communications leader on a mission to help people live well and do good. For nearly 20 years, she’s helped organizations clarify who they are, what they do, and why it matters. Tieler believes that properly defining your identity and purpose isn’t just for institutions—it’s vital for the Christian life. In her debut book, How to Ditch the How-To, she supports change-seekers on their journey to becoming who God has called them to be. Tieler is convinced that the gospel of Jesus is the best news ever, with the power to transform lives, culture, and the world around us. She currently lives in Charlotte, NC.