Transitions in Life – Guide me Lord!
Sometimes after we cross over there is still a hill to climb.
He’ll give us what we need to make it.
When we are born, we pass through the birth canal into a life that is bright, loud, and extremely foreign. The transition must occur or else we will die in our mother’s womb.
This won’t be the last time we cross over from familiarity to a foreign place! Life transitions occur all through life. Toddler to Kindergarten, childhood to puberty, high school to college and the dramatic life adjustments continue.
There are the natural seasons of life but in retrospect, some of the most challenging transitions are those we didn’t necessarily ask for. When a loved one dies, a spouse leaves us in divorce, we are laid off from our job, or serious illness takes us away from our independence. What are we to do now? How can I make it through this? Will life ever be “normal” again.
We are crossing over seemingly at times with no road map to find our way. Or maybe the hill seems just too steep to climb. How can we possibly make it through?
Are you going through a life season change? What transition have you been “thrown” into lately? Or did something impact you a while ago and it just seems you can’t get out of the quicksand of your circumstances? As I am searching the scriptures for answers to those questions I find there are a tremendous number of passages that remind me that He is there! The Comforter, the Counselor, the Savior of my soul is able to provide me with what I need to make it.
Today is the second day of school for my grandson. I told him when he turned 10 that it is time for more responsibility in his life. Walking to school is one of those new privileges that have come with his age. As I watched him go out the door to walk to school for the first time, by himself, I felt fear in my heart. Will he make it? Is he safe? Does he feel alone as he makes his trek four blocks to the school doors?
I watched him through the window since I didn’t want him to think I was checking up on him. I gave him a few minutes and then I quietly went out onto the porch peering through the bushes to see him walk down the street. A few minutes later I went out onto the porch to see if I could see him across the street as he moved towards a place out of my sight.
I felt the Lord prompting me, “John, I got this one. He is making a transition into his own independence.” Sure, I realized he might feel alone, He may fall and skin his knees and no one will be there to say it’s ok. But the Lord reminded me that we all have to learn to live life outside of our physical covering and to be placed into the hands of our loving God.
One of my favorite passages that speaks to me very personally about life and its challenges is in Romans.
Rom. 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
I was praying for a friend the other day who is going through a terrible battle right now. As I prayed, I was reminded that there may not be a feeling of hope when we are in the midst of a trial. Paul tells us that the hope comes after we persevere some and develop our character along the way. I don’t like that truth because I’d rather have the hope up front, I think you would too. But really, the hope we need is much larger than just believing we will make it through our current trials.
James 1:2-5
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
The joy is not a denial of our pain. It also isn’t false covering of our authentic feelings. Rather, it is realizing that we have joy from the bigger picture of redemption, salvation and eternity. I find it interesting that James follows up with encouraging us to ask for help from our loving God.
Our forefathers, the Israelites went through another kind of transition. They hungered for freedom from their bondage to slavery. They cried out for help over and over and finally, God bought them a deliverer in Moses. So, with excitement and joy they began their trek away from Egypt. He began the journey giving glory to the real deliverer, the LORD.
Exodus 13:3
Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the LORD brought you out of it with a mighty hand.
Then he made plans for them that seemed curious but again, the Lord was concerned about the potential that they would become discouraged.
Exodus 13:17-18
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.
He guided them with the cloud and the pillar of fire. He always had one or the other in place, never leaving them without direction.
Exodus 13:20-22
After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Exodus 15:13
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Psalm 43:3
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
He had a destination in mind that wasn’t a physical location, it didn’t have an address. You wouldn’t find it on Google Maps! We are going to His House! It’s a spiritual destination of eternity with Him. Of course, if you are like me I’d rather have something a little more tangible than that.
God, can’t you take away the pain I am feeling? Can’t you provide a new job for me today? I want to feel better and this illness just seems to linger on and on. God, restore my broken marriage, I can’t imagine living life alone but it is so painful right now, and what about my kids. Surely this isn’t your will. Take them out of my life, God. They are creating havoc for me and others! Free me from this terrible situation.
But the truth is, when we do receive freedom, and we have in many ways, we find ourselves in our own deserts of confusion, personal blindness, and grumbling spirits. If we don’t keep our minds on the real goals then the short sighted ones are disappointing for sure.
Isaiah 49:10
They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
So, ask. Ask Him for what you need.
Psalm 25:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 73:24
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory
Psalm 4:11
I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths
And the list goes on! He has promised us that He is the one we must trust in after we cross over to a new experience. He is the Counselor who will provide wisdom and insights. He will bring us peace.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Even in the transitions we ask for, such as getting a new job that we really wanted, or, walking down the aisle with our new bride or groom, there is an unknown experience to face. What about that brand new little baby that seems so sweet? There is a hill to climb after every life transition no matter how it comes about. It isn’t easy and there will be a wall of challenge that we’ll have to face. Transition always means we are entering into uncharted territories.
Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
When I left my position at Love In Action in 2008 I felt relieved to be free from the intense turmoil. I remember praying, “God, I am in your hands. I do not want to contrive my future or just settle into something that is familiar. Surprise me with your goodness in a plan that comes from you.” I dreamed of what those surprises might look like.
My wife and I were on a cruise in the Caribbean Islands. I saw such poverty and struggle on one of the islands as they were trying to start over after a military base closed up taking away many of their jobs and their ability to survive. I thought for a moment, I wonder if God would bring us here. What a great opportunity to show the love of God to a struggling people. Hum, what would it be like living on this island? If the cruise lines see potential here surely You do too!
I thought about it for a moment as I enjoyed the bright blue water, the amazing climate and dreamed of the glamour of living in the Caribbean. Then I realized all of their drinking water had to be brought in, everything they needed had to be special ordered and the loneliness of island living was a likely reality. But, even as I considered the potential as I pondered the idea, I felt strongly that there would be great joy in seeing Christ love these people and I would love to be a part of something like that. Of course, my wife wasn’t ready to pack up and move to the Caribbean.
Even now every time I see shows on island living I still think about that day and wonder, God might you end up sending us into this mission? What was that all about? I think at the very least, it was God asking me I were willing to cross over the water into whatever He might put into place for me.
In order for God to guide us in our new experiences it is really important for us to follow His direction. Sometimes, like the Israelites must have thought, it will not make sense. It didn’t make sense to take the long way around through the desert, but their loving deliverer had a plan for them that was good. He has a plan for us too, a great one, if we will learn to follow His ways. He then provides the wisdom and counsel needed to succeed.
John 14:15-17
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Devin made it to school and I don’t think I will worry so much tomorrow. He is stronger now for his challenge. It will become old hat soon and there will be other transitions for him to grow through. I am sure I will still be the fretting grandpa each step of the way. I trust the Father to provide much better than I can, what Devin needs. I am so thankful I know Him.
One of the most significant transitions we will ever make is to cross over from death to life in Christ! Talk about a transition! I remember becoming a Christian when I was about 28 years old. I was changed from the inside out and boy was I clumsy about it all. I felt stupid, impatient, confused, and blown away about what I was experiencing. It was as though my eyes had been opened for the first time. But over the years since 1982 I have learned lessons over and over about God’s faithfulness to provide for me what I needed to make it through the rivers I had crossed. The Gospel transition is the greatest miracle of all time and for most of us, one of the most challenging transitions as we cross over.
August 13th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Every transition, every challenge, disappointment and failure is God’s gift to us that will grow us, make us more dependent on Him, lead us into the “secret place” where He dwells and an opportunity for us to share in His glory. It can only happen through GRACE!
August 13th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Email Response:
John, What a great article. I needed that today! Thank you for sharing. DR
August 14th, 2010 at 7:15 am
FaceBook Comment
Exactly what I have been thinking about before I came across this post. – KH
September 17th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
John, excellent article. When I read the part about your grandson walking to school alone, I could really relate. I thought back to times in my life when I felt scared and alone, but I was not alone. All the while Someone was watching my every move. The Lord was right there with me, and He continues to be.
July 8th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
I can’t thank you enough for the interesting points in this article. I am motivated to find out more and I hope you will soon be offering up more information.