Transition With Grace

Transition is uncomfortable. Its a gray area full of unknowns and uncertainty. The old is leaving and the new is coming but nothing is really solid yet. It's like walking on sand. You have something to keep you up but only for a short time before you start to slip downward. Its just not going to hold you all the way up. I dislike that place greatly but I've learned to appreciate it. It can feel chaotic and even frightening. But what I love about transition is the opportunity to dream of whats to come. The window in which you can see the possibilities arising and the excitement of the new. I tend to be a person that likes change just as much as I like my routine. Its nice to have predictability in life. You can count on it and you're always sure of what it'll look like. But change has a way of shaking up your existence and bringing adventure routine cant allow. Which is exciting!

My life at the moment is in a transition. I can feel it in the spirit that things are changing. Little shifts are happening but nothing quite makes sense yet. Its like having the pieces of a puzzle with no picture on them. You can see they fit together but aren't quite sure what image they'll make up yet. This is a strange place to be and I've been praying hard asking what I need to do. You see, in my past when change came in to my life I was in control. I was steering the ship, making the course, I laid the x on the destination. But handing my life to God meant I gave all that up. I gave him the entire map and complete control over the whole boat. So when this time of transition came the waves started to make me a bit uneasy. Where are we even going God?

He didn't give me a clear answer. God sure does love His mysteries. But I did get some solid rocks to stand on as I made my way through these choppy waters.

So here's what I learned......

Transition seasons require trust. In the book of Joshua the Israelites are getting ready to cross the Jordan into their promise land. They're about to walk in to the promises given to their ancestors but they have to trust that God will direct their steps. They have to trust that the Lord will keep them safe. They have to rely on God to lead them. They can't do what they would normally do, they have to do what God says. Trust was key to them finding what they were promised. And in order to get across they have to trust that what doesn't seem possible, will be possible.

In your transition God might ask you do some weird stuff. He might call you to make moves without explaining everything and some of that might look down right insane. You have to trust that even if you don't know what you're doing or why, He does. And Hes going to direct you in exactly the right way to get you exactly where you need to be. Trusting in transition isn't just important, its imperative if you want His will.

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Transition seasons require faith. Luke 8:22-25 the disciples were on a boat with Jesus going across a lake (transition). A storm comes, the boats going crazy, and they all freak out as Jesus takes a nap. When they wake Him up He asks them where their faith is. We all know the story. Jesus wasn't bothered by the storm. He knew in that transition they'd face hardship and instead of being bothered He takes a nap. He has faith the Father will protect and care for them. He knows they'll make it to the other side even if they couldn't see the shore through the waves.

Our transition is going to ask us to have faith that God will take care of us when we're in the unknowns. That He'll keep His promises. And that we will survive the trip to wherever we're going. Without faith we'll end up tossed in the wind, thrown about, confused, and scared. Faith is the confidence in what we cannot see. So even when the waves of transition are too high to see the other side, we stand in faith that God will stop the storms long enough to get us to shore.

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Transition seasons require patience. This is not my strong suit. When God says I can have something, I want it now. Waiting on that is hard. So. Bloody. Hard. I get inpatient and sometimes want to run ahead into what's mine instead of letting God set the pace. God always smacks me back into line with Ecclesiasties 3:1-8 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Yea..... its sobering when you're in a hurry. God says there's a right time for everything and that He knows the timing thats right. He has plans for you as Jeremiah 29:11 tells us. He knows what pace we need to go at. He knows when exactly things should show up. And He has it all timed out perfectly. So while waiting might be hard, patience might be difficult, His ways are better. And the timing is up to Him. Especially in transition.

So look, transition isn't easy. And no one is going to tell you that it is. The fact of the matter is its scary and uncomfortable. There's so much unknown in that season and walking through that is difficult. But its also so very beautiful. Its an open door to something new. Its an opportunity to find favor, blessing, and adventure that changes our lives. So while its an uneasy season and we're tempted to try and take the steering wheel at momens, God does amazing work in these times! And following His lead in transition leads to destiny and purpose. So walk with Him through it with faith and trust. Stay strong. And watch as He brings you straight in to the most beautiful adventure imaginable!