We all go through transitions in life. I’m going through one right now, and I’ve been through many before. Times of transition can make us feel alone, vulnerable, and uncomfortable. It is also a time when people can make some of the worst decisions of their life simply based on the fear of the unknown. This fear will typically cause one to run out ahead of God and try to manufacture or manipulate the results they desire instead of waiting on God to bring us to our next stage in life. What I have discovered through times of transition in life and what I believe to be our proper perspective should be is – rest!
True rest in the Kingdom of God can be described as ‘Holy Spirit directed activity!’ Which means one is being led and directed by the Holy Spirit to Gods best for their life. This leading tends to be in direct opposition to what we may feel is best for our lives. Those in transitional stages of life will tend to predict the outcome of the transition to match what they would deem as an ideal or perfect situational outcome which would bring them into a state of euphoria. They will then begin to try to direct and manipulate their steps toward this goal without factoring in God. Don’t do that; it’s a trap! That is exactly what the enemy wants us to do for us to miss God’s best for our life.
Resting in times of transition is difficult, trust me I know. It requires patience, something this world and its system of ‘give it to me and give it to me NOW’ does not care for. Patience will undoubtably cause us to have to ‘sit in the uncomfortable’, something not many are willing to endure. When someone has entered a time of transition, they typically will begin to experience feelings of abandonment as God begins to remove people from their lives to bring new relationships in, the ones they will experience in their new stage of life. I have learned that it is best to not take this removal process personally, it is Gods doing and is for our growth and His best for us. Many times, God will remove people from our lives that we may depend to much on and having them removed will leave us feeling vulnerable. That’s okay because there is a purpose in that, and it is so that we will begin to transfer that dependency we once had on that person on to God. That is the purpose of every transitional stage of our lives, to move us into a life more dependent on God.
Change for change’s sake is never good, it typically comes from a place of anxiousness and fear of missing out. But Godly changes or transitions are for our growth and maturity which will eventually lead to more happiness and a more intimate relationship with God. Who doesn’t want that? We all do! So why not trust God in our times of transition and let His Spirit guide us and reposition everyone and everything that needs to come and go from our lives. Remember what the prophet Jeremiah said about God and His plan for our lives, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Why would anyone want to interfere with that promise from God? Even when we can’t see it or feel like it is slipping away; Trust the Plan!
So, if you find yourself in a time of transition do yourself a favor and rest! Sit in the Fathers lap and let Him and His Spirit guide and lead you to your best life. And if at any time you feel lost in the journey, remember God has given us the greatest map ever printed, His word the Bible! It will absolutely get you back on track and point you in the right direction!
Dario L. Perla