Transition.
Change.
New.
Different.
Depending on who you are, and how you’ve been wired, these terms can elicit feelings of great excitement and eager anticipation, or deep dread and strong apprehension.
Some of us, much more than others, appreciate the kind of consistency and steadiness that allows much of life to unfold in ways that seem reasonable and mostly make sense. It feels predictable. It allows us to feel much more comfortable, and even confident, in our present – and also our future. It might, if we’re honest, even give us the sensation that everything is under control – more specifically, under our control.
Others of us, however, struggle with routine and predictability. We prefer the change-up. We appreciate being thrown for loop; being forced into unforeseen situations that require life-altering decisions. We enjoy when the snow globe of life gets shaken and we’re compelled to pay close attention, wait for the snow flakes to settle back to the surface, and attempt to come up with a new game plan given the new set of circumstances we now find ourselves in.
Regardless of what kind of individual you are, transitions of all kinds are an inevitable part of life. Embrace them or fight them, pursue them or resist them – transitions of all shapes and sizes will eventually present themselves in our lives and demand a response.
So what are we to do? How do we make the most of these inevitable times? Especially if we are not fond of them…
I believe there are two questions we need to ask that will position us to make the very most of these times of transition:
- Where is God in the midst of this? and
- How will I allow God to lead me during this season?
Moving. Changing jobs. Meeting new people. Learning new systems. Adapting to new environments. These things have defined my life for the past four weeks.
Now, I’ll admit that I am one of those individuals who enjoys change. I like all that can be found in change – including the near limitless challenges.
Why? I think the easy answer is that it’s how God has wired me.
However, as I have learned to pay attention during these seasons, I have found them to be some of the more liminal times of life – when the space between the holy and the ordinary seems quite thin. A big part of this is because I force myself to ask the two questions above – God, where are you in all of this? and how am I supposed to follow you right now?
I believe that God would love it if were present to these questions all the time. And some of us might have that capacity. But I think the rest of us can learn how to become more present to these questions in our everyday living. Our great starting point, therefore, might be what we choose to do when we enter into the chaos and confusion of transition.
Do we look to God? Or do we run from from him? Do we lean into his strength and wisdom? Or do we cross our arms in anger and frustration and cry out, “Why me?!”
We are a work-in-progress. Always and forever (at least this side of glory). I believe God wants us to become more willing participants in our ongoing growth and formation. The transitions of life provide the perfect opportunities to venture in to this space where God has more freedom to do the work in us that He desires to do.
It’s not always easy. Or enjoyable. But God has a way of using the process, and our willing spirit, to do something in us that could never be accomplished any other way.
