Seasons of Transition

Hi All! I’ve had the topic of transitions on my heart for a while, and I just want to name some things God’s been teaching me in this season of transition. For us, the transition has been a long time coming and the transition still isn’t over. We left our jobs, moved across the country a year and a half ago, had a baby, moved to a new home that we’re renting temporarily, and my husband has two courses left at seminary to complete his Masters degree. Baby #2 is on the way and we have no idea what the next step is for us. 

Your transition in life might not be quite as dramatic, but no matter when or what the transition is, transitions are just downright hard for most of us. Transition means change. And change is not easy. Maybe, for you, it’s that you’re graduating and wondering what you'll be doing next or you’re getting married or you’re in a new relationship or you’re moving to a new house or you’re switching churches or your kids are starting school. Whatever it may be, I hope you’ll find encouragement here today and can know that transition doesn’t have to be this horrible, dreaded thing. There can actually be a lot of fruit and growth and blessing in seasons of transition. 

Ecclesiastes 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.”

There are seasons of transition, but the biggest thing that keeps me hopeful in seasons of transition is knowing that it won’t last forever. :) My husband and I often tell each other, “This is just a season.”

So, three big things that have helped me in this season of transition?

1. Seeing God’s provision. In season’s of transition, we are often losing something. But what’s amazing is the opportunity we get to recognize God’s provision, where perhaps we may have taken it for granted before. During this season, God has provided me with friends, peace, a home for us, funds to pay for our home and Kevin’s school while neither of us are working, and a church community…just to name a few. If you’re in a season of transition, use it as an opportunity to take notice of what God is doing and how he is providing for you. It's also okay to be sad about those things you have left or lost. Give yourself grace to grieve and lay it all at Jesus' feet.
2. Learning to trust. Sometimes there are seasons where there is literally nothing else we can do but trust Him. Trusting him is pretty easy when things in our lives are going smoothly. When a lot is up in the air and we’re unsure of where he’s taking us, it’s downright hard to trust. But instead of living in doubt and fear, we can use this time as a beautiful opportunity to build our trust in the Lord. And then we simply pray and wait for him to show us the next step.
3. The growth I’ve experienced. I can honestly say that I’ve had a ‘growth spurt’ during this season of transition. And by that, I mean a 'spiritual' growth spurt. It’s not that I think I’m more ‘spiritual’ than I was before. But I see how God has used this season to grow me. For some reason, this season has given him access to parts of my heart I had buried for a while. He has taught me so much in this season. He's reminded me of who I am in Him, how my security is in Him alone, how I don’t have to strive and I can simply be, how He is so much bigger than my problems and His love is so much bigger than fear. I know that I probably won’t completely understand the growth He has done in me and my family during this time until later on. But it’s real. He is with us in this season and He is not allowing it go to to waste. He’s using it all for His glory and His Kingdom. I believe that. 

These are things I cling to when this season of transition just seems really hard. When I’m feeling discouraged in this season and am wondering will we ever know the next step or will God really come through for us, I can remember that He has already come through for us, over and over and over again. And my security is not in knowing our future plans. My security is ever and only all in Him alone. 

Thank you, Jesus, that seasons of transition are never wasted. Thank you that you use each and every season of our lives to draw us closer to your heart. Encourage those those who are in seasons of transition in their lives. Help us to use these seasons to simply abide in you while we seek your wisdom and guidance for the future. Amen.