Over the past eight years I’ve written several lessons about the changes we face in life; probably because we’ve gone through so many. In September, SW centered on the thought “life is a series of new beginnings.” But I’ve realized I’d missed an important aspect—transition. Transition is the passage or journey from one state, or stage, or location, or season to another. Change is external; it happens as a result of outside circumstances e.g. a job or career change, death of a loved one, major illness, or retirement, etc. Transition is an internal mental experience. Change can happen suddenly, but the internal battle of transition takes time. We may be in a different situation, but our mind is trying to catch up with what has already happened. We have lost the safety and security of the past and now everything is unfamiliar, frightening, and uncertainty.
Remember your first day at a new high school or college. You attend your first lecture in one room but must move to another room down the hall for your second class. Transition is the hall between the two rooms. Transitions are universal. All Bible characters encountered them. Moses was the presumed son of Pharaoh’s daughter and lived in the royal court with all the privileges it brought—fine cloths, delectable food, and prestige. A change occurred because of the foolish act of Moses killing an Egyptian who had beaten a Hebrew. Moses fled and settled in the land of Midian becoming a shepherd. No fancy clothes, no familiar foods, and new unknown situations was the change. We don’t know the time lapse between leaving Egypt to arriving in Midian or how long it required for his mental adjustments but that period was the transition. What thoughts and fears went through his mind?
The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee educated under Gamaliel. He was a zealot of Judaism and the Mosaic Law and a persecutor of the Church. He enjoyed social status, dialogue with Hebrew scholars, security, and a promising future. That is until he met Jesus in a blinding vision of the road to Damascus. The Holy Spirit sent Ananias who lay hands on him, his eyes were healed, and Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. He became the Apostle to the Gentiles. His transition; he spent three years in Arabia where a large Hebrew library was located. Most scholars believe he was studying. His entire belief system changed. Imagine the thoughts that would have gone through his mind transitioning from a rigid keeper of the Law to writing, Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law (Gal 5:1 NLT).
Several steps make a transition smoother. First, remember God is in control. I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord (Jer 29:11NIV). Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Jos 1:9 NIV). Second, you must recognize and accept the fact you are in a transition. Look, I am about to do something new (Is 43:19 NET). The most challenging step is letting go of the old. We believe we can remain safe and comfortable where we are. However, remaining in the same place doing the same things the same way you’ve always done will bring the same results. Letting go brings fear and many people will resist clinging with a death grip to the old. However, new life comes when we embrace the new which will be far greater than your previous situation. During a time of transition God refines and matures us. He reshapes our perspective and thought patterns. Transition get us ready for a new season of purpose and fulfillment.
If we resist transition, we settle for who we have become and never allow ourselves to enjoy who God meant us to be. You will never know what you’re capable of if you are unwilling to trust God and embrace the unknown. Letting go of the old does not mean you have failed. Rather it shows you are prepared for God’s new work. We may fear stepping into the unknown, but faith is stronger than fear and brings glory to God. Change from one season of life to another, from a bad situation to a good one or from letting go of the old to grasping the new doesn’t normally take place overnight. You don’t go to sleep in one season and wake up in a new season. No Star Trek transporters are available.
Take hold of Paul’s promise to us. God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Eph 3:20 MSG). If God is leading you to a change, allow Him to begin your transition to something more than you can dream or imagine.
Sustaining Word for the Week: “She knew this transition was not about becoming someone better but about finally allowing herself to become who she’d always been.” Anonymous