Transition is unavoidable in the human journey. No books are written about how to avoid transition. The challenge of transition is to recognize it, embrace it effectively and steward our hearts well in it so that it becomes a crucible of preparation for our next level of influence and opportunity.
Are you in transition? Obviously if there are significant changes to your life in work, location or in the focus of your heart then most likely you are.
Transition is part of a universal pattern of growth that is common to us all from time to time. A common theme is realizing we are dissatisfied with some work or ministry that once gave us great joy. This can be disconcerting, but that is the nature and pain of healthy transition. Most likely it is not something wrong with us, but rather a shift that is most likely upwards to something far better. Just realizing this and accepting this in itself can be comforting.
If you feel an increased thirst for the Lord in this season the solution is simple. Give in to the thirst and seek Him fervently. With all the unsettledness of the season it is a crucial strategy.
I was out at a farm near my home the other day and the parallels between farming and transition struck me. Right after harvest there is a dramatic shift in focus. What was cared for is now the target of the plow. All is leveled, ripped up and now ready for a new season and a new crop. The field is fallow, broken, empty and waiting. This is transition and though it is painful let me encourage you to rest in it. The new season truly is coming.
Birthing a child has wonderful hidden clues of transition wisdom. One phase of birthing is called transition. My wife Mollie was a mid-wife assistant for many years in Alaska and assisted with dozens of births. I asked her what were the significant learnings from childbirth? She said there are 4 things they instructed the mothers to do:
1. Relax It is crucial we relax in the season of transition. Any internal struggles rob us of energy and focus. Embrace the process.
2. Breathe Normally we don’t think of breathing, but in the pressure of birthing the mom is coached to concentrate on breathing. We need to focus on the basics of life, exchanging with the Lord our old for his fresh breath.
3. Rest The mother rests and naps every spare minute she has to give her endurance. Physical rest and ceasing from striving both are critical targets in transition.
4. Have trusted Encouragers by your side who know the style of encouragement that serves you best.
Transition in birthing is painful and very intense. The mother has a strong desire to push with the muscle contractions, but the midwife coaches her to wait and not to push until just the right time. Mollie told me one of characteristics of the middle of transition is the strong urge to quit where the mom feels she just can’t continue any longer. Shortly thereafter comes coaching to “push” and then the birthing and the joy of precious new life!
We can learn from these birthing tips to be at rest, concentrate on the basics of our walk with the Lord, receive outside coaching as to when and where to push for the fulfillment of our next step, and to be intentional about keeping ourselves encouraged with others and with the Lord. And when we come to the seeming end of our strength we know that His strength is made perfect in our weakness and breakthrough is near.
My son and his family are being transferred by his company from Alaska to Texas. Tonight I was on the phone with my granddaughters in Alaska and encouraging them in their move. One said she was scared and sad. I told her she was in a special time called transition and that she needed to do well in it like in math or in swimming. She said, “Oh that’s a new word, we need a definition for that word!” So we prayed together and I led her to give her “scared” and her “sad” to Jesus and asked for His peace right now! She did and she felt better afterward.
He is our peace and this peace is never dependant on outside circumstances. He gives peace to us upon request and in fact the Lord instructs us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts and to be thankful. Giving thanks in the brokenness of our travail is key to letting peace reign. With peace and thankfulness within we can manage our transitions well. God is birthing a new thing in you through the difficult season he is taking you through! The Lord has blessings ahead and wants to you to have peace in the journey.