Transitioning 101: How I'm making it through.
It’s incredible how swiftly seasons shift, right? I was going to start this sentence saying, "Walking with God..." but to be honest, life in and of itself can bring about so much change. [The blessing is, however, that we can walk through life's transitions, switches, etc. with Jesus. This makes all of the difference because HE makes all the difference.]
Nevertheless, back to my original thought.
My Pastor, Suffragan Bishop Avery Dumas, often says, and I've grown to know the truth of this statement: time is filled with swift transition. He usually follows up after this statement saying that we must hold on to God's unchanging hand throughout the swift transitions--it's true! Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic first broke out in the states almost two months ago now, the Lord has been teaching me plenty as this season has brought about much to learn. This is what I want to write to you all about today--what God has been revealing to and sharing with me in this unprecedented season.
Firstly, I want to share with you that at the start of the year, the Lord had been speaking to me about how He’s bringing about ‘newness of life’ in my life. Now. When you hear these kinds of words from the Lord, you get SO excited, right?! You jump; you shout; you rejoice! Y’all, I was so excited when I first listened to these words from the Lord. And it’s not that I’m not filled with excitement and joy now; however, I’ve just begun to realize that with ‘newness of life’ also comes the trial of learning and transitioning (which doesn't always feel so great). You see, I’ve been in a few seasons of transition in my life whenever I'd been in significant life changes, and during that time, the Lord had been positioning me for the season ahead. Therefore, I’ve become acquainted with the fact that the uncertainty that comes with a transition can sometimes create an illusion that God is further away (He’s not, btw, don’t be fooled into believing so).
Now that I've said that: when you pair transitioning with learning and becoming more rooted in the things of God, it can create heavy tension. My hope is that during this post, I can shed light and insight on what our response can be in seasons of transitioning, learning, and going deeper into the things of God.
Recently, as it became more apparent I was in a season of transition, I began to seek wisdom from the Lord concerning instruction for my life, I went back to Isaiah 43:18, 19 NKJV where the Lord first shared He was doing a new thing in my life months prior. I picked up some tips from my studying! They’re reasonably simple, but I believe they can be helpful when we’re learning to commune with God in a new way during seasons of transition.
Isaiah 43: 18, 19 NKJV reads:
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
When Transitioning, Learning from the Lord, and Going Deeper in the Things of God:
1. Forget the former things (v. 18)
2. Do not dwell on the past (v. 18)
3. Move forward, knowing that God is teaching you in this new season (v. 19)
4. Give yourself the grace to learn ‘the new’ (v. 19)
A scripture that I’m holding close to me as truth in this season is Proverbs 18:24 NKJV, which reads, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Beloved, Jesus is your friend that sticks closer than a brother. As I mentioned, the enemy throughout seasons of uncertainty can spew the lie that the Lord isn’t close. However, He is…He sticks closer than a brother.
I also wanted to share that during this season of transition, it's important to hold tight to the last things He instructed you in and to not relax on spiritual disciplines that you held to in the previous season, before the transition. As a matter of warning, sin may also try to creep in during this time because you're most vulnerable and fragile. Don't be alarmed. Again, this is time to hold to God's unchanging hand all the more. You're only tempted because you're close to receiving what it is that God has for you in this season. Keep on, keeping on. You can do it!
Be encouraged in this season. Receive from the Lord what it is that He would have you to receive from Him because remember, this too shall pass.
Until next time,
Your sister,
LaGerrica 💗
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