It’s been a long journey home.
From Morocco, to the United States, then driving to Canada.
Its been three weeks of slamming face-first into transition-questions – my own and others.
My concept of “home” and “transition” has been an evolving concept these past five years as I’ve shifted from married to single life, from Bible school to World Race Traveller, and now into the Wild Unknown.
Home for now is my parent’s guest room, the snowy Canadian mountains, and my eleventh Christmas designing at the local flower shop.
Needless to say, I have been well acquainted with the joys and sorrows of upheaval and transformation.
It’s hurts. It’s hard.
It tests my faithfulness.
But it’s all been worth it in the end.
Transformation is about the internal surrender to the will of God. This has lead me to be misunderstood, rejected, or sometimes attacked by the people around me in the past. But that is not really my problem. Pursuing God within transition is the best way I can help those people who don’t see what God’s doing in me, as well as release what God is giving me. I’ve learned it’s better not to fight, but just submit to God.
Prophets and pioneers always go through things ahead of the people who surround them. This year I learned that I am both of those things.
Even Moses within his own exile was challenged to develop resources for living in a hostile environment. The truth is, God HAS prepared us to live in whatever season we are in. Our own personal resources are designed by God to overflow onto the people we are traveling with through life. The degree we surrender ourselves to God and His process will determine the level of future influence He entrusts us with.
In short: Our transition is not simply about us, but is designed to advance the Kingdom where we are planted – even it’s just from our parent’s guest rooms.
From my own transitional seasons, this is what I’ve learned so far:
Transition appears to have three components:
a) a time of closure – a releasing of the old and dead things
b) a process of change – time where we receive new/better ways for living
c) entrance into the new season – the place where we actually have to live with those new/better things because the old ones are obsolete and don’t work anymore
To be real – coming home after a year of travelling, living in all that intense community, and not fully understanding what really just happened to me…AND with my future moving forward completely unclear…it’s not the most comfortable experience to be in. Kinda feels like an invisible burr stuck in my sock.
BUT I will offer this:
God is ALWAYS faithful and He ALWAYS helps develop the tools we need BEFORE we need them.
Back in July (with the help of Clint Bokelman) we created a list of things we’d learned about transitioning well.
Here is that list:
1) Stay in worship. This is a powerful weapon and a unique opportunity to offer God your praise even when it might not make sense at all. The Enemy HATES this. Punch him in the face with your worship and love of God.
2) Listen to God’s perspective before your own and those around you.
3) Use God’s filter on feedback and encouragement – take everything to prayer, resisting offence, and choosing to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
4) Do not over-think your circumstances and situations – take it to God when anxiety and restlessness arises.
5) Be thankful in all circumstances and situations. This will centre you in the God’s Presence.
6) Minster to your own soul – make time for what brings you life. This is an overflow-weapon that keeps us from becoming isolated and alienating people from our process.
7) Laughter – choose your company wisely – people who bring encouragement, life, and who will willingly stand with you in the pain of process – without judgement.
8) Boundaries on how you spend your time. This involves putting input-restrictions on your eyes and ears, and paying attention to what it is producing in you – as well as how much (or how little) you need to be involved in ministry. Don’t tap out, but look for balance.
9) Give yourself permission to hope and dream again. You aren’t stuck.
10) Give yourself permission to be seen, even inside the confusion and mess – invite trusted people into your life to keep you from isolating while your heart is tender. This is another weapon against the Enemy.
11) Willfully exercise self-control in speech. Don’t allow toxic words out purposely, excusing it as only venting. Words have power. Take it to God first. He can handle it.
12) Do something that builds your confidence.
Your Promised Land is waiting…
I hope this helps someone get there sooner than later. 🙂
// Here now
All I know is I know that You are
Here now
Still my heart
Let Your voice be all I hear now
Spirit breathe
Like the wind come have Your way
Cause I know that You are here now
Heart and soul
God I know that You are here now
Fix my eyes
On the things that I can’t see now
And all I see
Is the glory of Your Name //
