Change to any degree has always been really difficult for me. To be completely transparent, I love comfortability and consistency. I love knowing what’s next and having a plan set in action. Although I am starting to realize that you cannot completely avoid change. It seems as if our whole lives revolve around transition. Schooling, jobs, homes, relationships, life stages—everything is constantly evolving.
Since coming onto the global mission field, any type of structure has been shattered. “Go with the flow” has become my motto, and I have had to continually loosen my imaginary grip on life. As my departure date inches closer, I am a bit nervous to leave the global mission field. Anxious thoughts try to fill my mind regarding how it will look transitioning back into a life I left more than seven months ago.
It can be a daunting task to try to figure out what’s next while simultaneously soaking up the present. It is easy to let our thoughts spiral and seemingly ignore that God has it all perfectly planned. In every season, God is walking alongside us. A song I have been meditating on recently by Hillsong says, “I have never walked alone / I’ve never been abandoned / You are my inheritance / You are my strength and shield / And I have confidence / You go before me.” He doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves. Our God is overflowing with grace, knowing full well that we will need it daily. His plans are sovereign and will prevail. In the times of anxiousness or stress of a transition, we must bring ourselves back to reality and allow the peace of God to overwhelm our hearts.
As I have been journeying through Exodus, I have been encouraged by Moses’ story. I feel as if I can relate to bits and pieces of it as I am in this season of uncertainty. Specifically in Exodus 3, Moses encounters God in a burning bush. God tells Moses that He has heard the cries and groanings of His people and is choosing Moses to go set them free. In the following chapter, Moses lists a handful of excuses explaining why he isn’t the guy for the job. Moses is hesitant, scared, and nervous. In his moment of fearfulness, he had momentarily forgotten who God is. We serve a God who sees and equips His people. He had a desire to use Moses in great ways, and He has a desire to do the same with us. Sometimes when we don’t completely see how things will turn out, we want to throw in the towel. We choose the easier or safer route instead of trusting our all-powerful God.
I am guilty of this. I am guilty of putting God in a box and underestimating what He can do. When I cannot see how a situation will turn out, I make excuses as to why I can’t do what God is calling me to. Yet, in the same way He was providing for Moses in his time of change or transition into leadership, He is doing the same thing today. Like Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
One way I like to manage transitional seasons is by inviting people into what I am going through. I have found great joy in biblical community and allowing myself to be vulnerable. In today’s culture, it can be hard to ask for things, but asking for your community to pray alongside you as you go through transition is so unifying. I have been so comforted knowing that I have people interceding on my behalf. I also seek solitude with the Lord in seasons of transition. Spending time in solitude with the Lord is something that I have a challenging time doing because it requires stillness. It requires removing distractions and that can be difficult, but when we sit with the Lord, He is faithful to meet us. In Psalm 119, we are reminded that God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. When our future looks a bit fuzzy, may we be quick to run to the truth that will sharpen our steps.
John 15 is one of my favorite passages, specifically I love the imagery of Jesus being the true vine and His followers the branches. In a sense, I find this passage relating to seasons of transition. We are called to be branches that bear fruit. If we look at nature, we can see that branches don’t just start as branches. They don’t just magically appear on tree trunks one day. Flourishing branches require growth, change, and a proper environment to become one that bears fruit. In the same way, believers aren’t just born as fruit-bearing servants. We are actually born quite the opposite. We cannot bear fruit on our own; we must abide in the Lord. Sometimes the Lord calls us to switch our jobs, leave a relationship, or move to a different country. Sometimes the Lord places us in a season of change and hardship. But, just as branches grow and bear fruit with the changing of seasons, we can do the same. The harsh weather of winter takes a toll on most trees, yet we are blessed by the many colors of spring just a few months later. Without winter, we wouldn’t be as gracious for the beauty spring weather brings. In the same way, may we find joy in every situation, and may we seek to thank God during our seasons of transition.
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