Peace in Transition

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV)

Its transition time. All over the Kingdom of God and throughout the Church the word of the hour is “transition”. We keep hearing that but what does it mean. Are we all in transition? If so, is your transition going to spill over and affect my transition? Where is God when we go through the transitions in our lives? The Good News is that we can experience God in the transitions. 

This is God’s Word to Joshua and the people of Israel as they were about to make a some major transitions. There was the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua, the geographical transition from the wilderness to the promised land. Moses’ assignment at this point in his life and ministry was to prepare this generation for the major transitions they were about to experience. God’s Word to Joshua and the people of Israel as they are about to make some major transitions consisted of some commands and some promises. He told them to be strong, courageous, do no fear or dread the enemy but know that the Lord is with them and will never leave or forsake them.

I think that too often we rely on our own strength and when things get tough we get stressed because we cannot always achieve what we desire. With the right approach, attitude, and action, life transitions can be manageable and even positive. I know personally that transition can be an uncomfortable, fearful place. But when we involve the Lord, we get inner strength by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It gives us a spirit of boldness that handles situations that we could not handle in our own strength.  The Lord stands by us and He supports us by filling us with a peace that goes beyond our understanding. God is the God who is there.  He is Lord in the transitions.  When we walk through times of transition in our lives, He is right there with us walking along side us through the transitions. He is going before us.  He gives us the strength and the courage to face them without fear and without being dismayed or overwhelmed. He sustains us by His presence and He encourages us by His promises. He assures us of His love for us through Christ and He empowers us by His Spirit. He is sending you this message today in the midst of your transition to let you know this is not your final destination. You’re headed somewhere. He is going to bless you and bring you into your place of promise.

Now let’s pray.

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Enter into Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, 

Lord Jesus, it’s the assurance of your unfailing love which enables us to trust you with the transitions we go through in life, and the uncertainties about the future. Change is never easy. Change makes us feel vulnerable, fearful, and insecure. We get tempted, once again, to be our own savior. Spare us that misery, Jesus; spare us and those we love. May your Word dwell in us richly and your peace rule in us powerfully; and may your glory be our main passion and greatest delight.

We’ve entrusted our lives to you, Jesus, because you alone are trustworthy; you alone are the Good Shepherd. We’ve given you our sins, wounds, brokenness, and weakness. Now, in surrender, we give you our planning for the next season of our lives. Show us the way we should go through our transitions—transitions of age and stage, career and calling, health and finances, relationships and ministries. Write stories of redemption beyond our wildest dreams and hopes. It’s all about you, Lord Jesus—not us.

We’re not so arrogant as to expect all the details. Just take us by the hand and lead the way. Shepherd us, Jesus. Open doors we cannot shut and shut doors we cannot open. All we need to know is that you love us and that you’re with us. You’ve promised us both, and you do not lie. 

Lord, teach me to listen to your Spirt; teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it. Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me. I give you my discontent. I give you my restlessness. I give you my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all the longings I hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; help me to listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of an open door. In Jesus Name, Amen.