The scorching July heat has settled in and we have settled into our summer routines. As a teacher, there is a sense of free fall when you operate sans the normal day-to-day constraints of a tight schedule. The last day of school was a time of sweet goodbyes for students. That was June. A time of new opportunities and a Moody radio interview that was granted by God's providence. But July was something else. The month of my son's birthday and the month his new journey would begin and he would move six hours away. Tearful goodbyes and anxiety that filled my soul. I began to question my sense of purpose and the things that had not gone "according to plan."
Transitions require trust. The in-between is a scary place of vulnerability. Some of you may know, but the past few years have been an agonizing waiting game for me. I made a costly mistake and went without insurance on my manufactured home when the premium soared beyond my reach. Hurricane Irma pummeled our roof and the problems have become compounded with each rainy season. A new federal grant promised hope to residents and I was one of the first applicants to clear the hurdles and secure approval. My closest friends have walked this frustrating journey with me and they know that Rebuild Florida has pulled the rug out repeatedly. Admittedly, I have been grappling with emotional burnout so close to the finish line! My miracle has been delayed with detours where there should have been a clear path. BUT GOD IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL. Roadblocks force us to stop, reflect and pray.
Transitions are uncomfortable and unavoidable. It was 1986 and all eyes were fixed on the screen in my classroom as we held our breath, watching the launch. Everything appeared to be normal until that infamous explosion. You see, after the vehicle emerged from “Max-Q,” the period of greatest aerodynamic pressure, it was all over. The same pressure that creates diamonds can also crush someone irreparably. The Titan submarine disaster in June is confirmation of that truth. The only way to safeguard our souls from the pressure in life is to be fully sealed by the Holy Spirit. Consider the phenomenon of pregnancy. This is a significant transition on every level (physically as well as family unit dynamics) but the most critical moments occur once the pressure of labor begins. Transitions require us to relinquish our sense of control over the outcome. Great pain gives way to great promise.
Transitions are tricky. Contractors understand that transitions on the floor need extra attention. They can trip us up because they are unexpected shifts in an otherwise smooth pattern. I have a torn meniscus because of a sudden transition on the sidewalk while I walked Bessie (our adorable rat terrier) in my community, several years ago. It was dark and I never saw it coming. The point is that transitions can only be navigated with open eyes and an open heart. Support systems are non-negotiable. I am so grateful for the friends who check in on me when I am too overwhelmed to reach out. College campuses are rolling out the red carpet as students transition to a brand-new season. Parents are often dealing with empty nest syndrome and looking for new ways to fill that void. When roles change, it's important to remember that roles do not define us; the finished work of Christ defines us.
Transitioning to life after COVID has not been a picnic. No one has emerged unscathed because the world has changed and the fallout is undeniable. Loss, sickness, grief and depression are somber seasons of scarcity. Some people will crumble under the pressure and others will become even stronger than before. Even the most welcome transitions come with a steep learning curve requiring a lot of grace and flexibility. Transitions can deplete our energy stores, so it’s important to recharge often. Ultimately, this world is not our home. The sufferings of this life are temporary because God is up to something that extends beyond the borders of this earthly plane. Glance briefly at the mountain standing in your way but fix your gaze permanently on THE MOUNTAIN MOVER because perspective matters; transitions are really just portals to destiny!
Psalm 119:89-92 (MSG) What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered - you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.
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