limbo –noun, plural -bos.
1. (often initial capital letter) Roman Catholic Theology. a region on the border of hell or heaven, serving as the abode after death of unbaptized infants (limbo of infants) and of the righteous who died before the coming of Christ (limbo of the fathers or limbo of the patriarchs).
2. a place or state of oblivion to which persons or things are regarded as being relegated when cast aside, forgotten, past, or out of date: My youthful hopes are in the limbo of lost dreams.
3. an intermediate, transitional, or midway state or place.
4. a place or state of imprisonment or confinement.
[Origin: 1300–50; ME, from ML phrase in limbō on hell's border (L: on the edge), equiv. to in on + limbō, abl. of limbus edge, border (L), place bordering on hell (ML); see limbus1]
limbo. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/limbo (accessed: October 10, 2007).
Despite your theological stance on the state of the (various) dead, you have probably used the phrase in limbo in reference to this life. Usually, we mean something akin to definition 3 above. This would relate to the Roman Catholic Limbo of the Patriarchs or the more evangelical OT hades: a state of waiting for an indefinite amount of time. For those in such a state, however, it quickly gains definitions 2 and 4: a definite sense of stuckness.
I achieved such a state ca. 2000. Around this time, I graduated from college. My first attempt at a job somewhat related to my degree was less than successful. I had not met the love of my life. For that matter, I couldn't even seem to meet reasonably eligible potentials. A couple other major events left me emotionally unable to take steps forward. I was in limbo.
I thought it would pass. To a certain extent, I suppose it has. At least, I am not just sitting on my thumbs. I keep very busy. I enjoy my work. Slowly, over a long time, I have found some immediate direction for my daily activities. But the feeling of waiting has not left. Singleness has a knack of doing that to a person. I am constantly aware that a Big Event (translate as you will) may occur to change everything.
What has passed is my discomfort with this state. It's not that I want any less to be married or to be embarking on some exciting venture. It's just that I've realized the benefits of being stuck. As long as I lack strong direction, I look to God for it. When I am unsettled, I am more available to be moved to where He wants to use me. Waiting is not pointless if I am waiting on Him.
Yes, I am forming some goals. I still hope deep down that I will not always be "set on the shelf." But my greater hope, my prayer, is that I never leave a state of limbo this side of heaven.
Lamentations 3:24-26
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.