The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing

I hadn’t read any of Goins’s books before. I do occasionally read his blog. Online Goins posts about writing and growing your social media presence (surprisingly, I don’t find this annoying). In The In-Between he turns his attention to the time we spend waiting for the next big thing in our lives. Most of our life is spent waiting, which is frustrating for a culture and generation which is raised on instant-gratification. But the in-between times are a gift to us.

This book is a memoir, exploring the terrain of Goins’s life. There are stories here from his childhood,his junior year of college when he studied abroad in Spain, from his time leading a worship band on tour, his early professional life, his discovery of his writing show more vocation, his courtship of his wife, the birth of their first child, and the experience of parenthood. Goins also talks about his friendship with senior citizens at his church (who have now passed on). Goins knew them late in life, but still experienced their life as gift.

The message of this book is to get us to enjoy our wait. When we are rushing to the next big thing we fail to appreciate what is in front of us now. Furthermore waiting is not a static place. It is a place where we are changed: our faith deepens, our vision is clarified, and we discover who we are and who we are becoming. Though Goins doesn’t make the explicit connection in his book, the now-but-not-yet tension of the Kingdom of God is a liminal space we inhabit as Christians. We are in a space of constant waiting but in the waiting we are changed. This is not a book about theology, but Goins does a great job of describing this as lived reality.

The past couple of years of my life I’ve felt frustrated in my vocational goals. I am a supervisor at a hardware store instead of a pastor in a church. I’ve spent half my time waiting frustrated at God at why my life isn’t where I want it to be. But I have discovered the gifts of inhabiting liminal spaces. Surrounded by supportive community, good friends, and living in one of the world’s most beautiful places (Birch Bay, Washington) I am learning to enjoy the moment and receive what God has for me here. Through the waiting I am changed. Goins names this tension well and I found this an encouraging read. While there is not much in the way of liturgical reflection in this book (other than a reflection on the season of Epiphany), I think this would be an interesting read for the season of Advent. I give this book four stars!

Thank you to Moody Publishers, Christian Audio and Cross Focused Reviews for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my review. At the time that I am writing this review, the Kindle version of The In-Between is free on Amazon. show less

I received a free copy of Jeff Goins’ The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing, thinking I would be reading another of those ‘I was down and Faith picked me back up again’ books, filled with homilies and platitudes that really tell me nothing new.
I wasn’t too deep into The In-Between, though, before I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, this is a book that is deeply grounded in the author’s religious faith, but you don’t have to be Christian to see the essential wisdom in it. His introduction, ‘Life Between the Panels,’ where he points out that we spend a significant, if not majority, part of our lives ‘waiting’ is worth the price of the book all by itself. His conclusion that the good show more stuff is neither ahead of nor behind us, but somewhere ‘in-between,’ or put another way, right where we are at the moment applies to all of us. Spending our waiting time constructively, rather than fixating on the next big thing, enables us to live more productive, fulfilled lives.
Goins offers an undergraduate degree worth of lessons in how to live the kind of life that at the end enables us to say, ‘I’m satisfied that I took advantage of every opportunity,’ and that includes the opportunities available to us during those periods ‘between the panels.’
Most books like this tend to be preachy, with a heavy religious hand pressing down on every principle. While Goins, as I mentioned previously, is obviously a person of strong faith, his use of stories and anecdotes of actual events (no matter how poorly they might be remembered) makes this book universally acceptable, and understandable. These are real people and real events with which each of us can identify. A cornucopia of wisdom, with useful information on everything from learning to love to coping with loss, The In-Between is a book that you’ll want to read, and then re-read during those moments ‘between the panels’ when you’re waiting for the next thing to happen. Believe me, it won’t be a waste of time.
Five stars without hesitation. show less

In an age of fast food, instant downloads and on-the-go internet, we are an impatient people. Whether it is the check-out line or the next stage of life, we can’t wait until the next bit thing. Christians have the itch as much as the next guy or girl. And American evangelicalism’s emphasis on spiritual crises and “decisions for Christ” keeps us looking for the next break through or longing for the day when we’ll finally have arrived. Jeff Goins points out that our perspective is flawed. Instead of looking ahead with anticipation or behind with regret, we need to be sure and live our life appreciating all of the moments "in-between".

His latest book, "The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing" show more fleshes out what it means to wait, and how in every season of life, behind our disappointments and joys, living for Christ involves trusting Him for the small moments where most of our life actually happens. The book is as much Goins’ life story (so far) as it is a detailed study on the subject of waiting. The story is well-written, at times intimate, and always thought-provoking. Ultimately the author succeeds in making much of the in-between.

Listening to the Christian Audio version of the book, I appreciated that it was the author himself, who read the book. As the story surrounded the author’s own escapades, you felt like you got to know him by the end of it. His reading was as smooth and polished as his writing style. Approachable and inviting, humorous at times and above all, real. This is an inspirational read that might just spark a life-transformation — of the smaller, more enduring “in-between” kind.

The book’s biggest fault is by some people’s measure a strength. He appeals to a wide audience through his sparing use of Scripture. This isn’t a Bible study or devotional read, yet it is spiritual and moving all the same. His lesson rings true to Scripture and is worth a hearing.

If you’re looking for a quick yet inspirational read, and if you’re trying to find hope in the midst of disappointment or confusion, this book is for you. Life doesn’t always turn out like we wished or thought it would. But that is what makes it worth living, and what causes us to trust our Lord all the more. Pick up "The In-Between," you’ll be glad you did.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by christianaudio.com as part of the christianaudio Reviewers Program. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review. show less

Jeff Goins transparency leaves no doubt about what he means by the In Between. He helps you realize that the waiting times in your life can be even more important than the big moments that occur. I started changing my thoughts and actions after reading a few chapters and was convinced by the end of the book. A good read for those who want more from life each day!