Change is in the air….
I came across this quote today: “Every chemical reaction
has a transition state.� Hmmm…I thought to
myself. My squad is getting ready for a transition, I’m sure there is something
I can glean from this. So I did a little research and found a ton of
information. I pretty much understood .000005% of what was being said (I was an
Art major…need I say more?). So I will give you the simplified version.
has a transition state.� Hmmm…I thought to
myself. My squad is getting ready for a transition, I’m sure there is something
I can glean from this. So I did a little research and found a ton of
information. I pretty much understood .000005% of what was being said (I was an
Art major…need I say more?). So I will give you the simplified version.
A chemical reaction
is when a substance (or substances) is changed into one or more new substances.
The reaction coordinate is the
measurable path that represents the progress being made. The transition
state occurs when the highest amount of
energy is being produced along the reaction coordinate.
is when a substance (or substances) is changed into one or more new substances.
The reaction coordinate is the
measurable path that represents the progress being made. The transition
state occurs when the highest amount of
energy is being produced along the reaction coordinate.
Here’s the kicker: Just because two reactant molecules
collide doesn’t mean it will be a successful reaction. There are two key
factors that come into play:
collide doesn’t mean it will be a successful reaction. There are two key
factors that come into play:
kinetic energy: the
energy an object has because of its motion
energy an object has because of its motion
internal energy: the
combination of kinetic energy and potential energy (energy stored by an object
derived by its position).
combination of kinetic energy and potential energy (energy stored by an object
derived by its position).
The good news is that if there is a perfect irreversible
reaction, colliding molecules will always go on to form products. I know…you
are super excited to hear that. You’re welcome.
reaction, colliding molecules will always go on to form products. I know…you
are super excited to hear that. You’re welcome.
Okay, so let me relate this to my squad. We have 60+ people
(or molecules) that are about to experience a massive change (or chemical
reaction). There will be new squad leaders, new team leaders, new teams, and
whatever else the Lord has up His sleeve. We have started to enter our
transition state. So what is needed in order to produce the best possible
product?
(or molecules) that are about to experience a massive change (or chemical
reaction). There will be new squad leaders, new team leaders, new teams, and
whatever else the Lord has up His sleeve. We have started to enter our
transition state. So what is needed in order to produce the best possible
product?
Well, if it’s anything like a chemical reaction, we need
individuals that are in motion. In other
words, we need to be worshipping, growing, learning, serving, honoring, laying
things down, dying to our rights, etc. We also need to have hearts in the right
position. Our hearts should be
full of love, peace, compassion, forgiveness, trust, humility, joy, patience,
kindness, gentleness, etc. Our fruit is our reaction coordinate; it measures
the progress being made.
individuals that are in motion. In other
words, we need to be worshipping, growing, learning, serving, honoring, laying
things down, dying to our rights, etc. We also need to have hearts in the right
position. Our hearts should be
full of love, peace, compassion, forgiveness, trust, humility, joy, patience,
kindness, gentleness, etc. Our fruit is our reaction coordinate; it measures
the progress being made.
Let me speak to the squad for a sec…If you are finding
yourself fearful or anxious during this transitional time, I want to encourage
you with some Truth. When the Lord delivered the people out of Egypt (talk about
transition) the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
yourself fearful or anxious during this transitional time, I want to encourage
you with some Truth. When the Lord delivered the people out of Egypt (talk about
transition) the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
“The Israelites said to them, If only we had died by the
Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we
wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire
assembly to death.� Exodus 16:3
Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we
wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire
assembly to death.� Exodus 16:3
Perhaps, if you are honest with yourself, you discover you
are like a grumbling Israelite, wanting to live off past provisions. Past
teammates. Past leadership. Past ministries. In fact, you are so focused on how
God use to provide that you are struggling to see the NEW way He WILL provide.
I encourage you to put your hand to the plow and not look back.
are like a grumbling Israelite, wanting to live off past provisions. Past
teammates. Past leadership. Past ministries. In fact, you are so focused on how
God use to provide that you are struggling to see the NEW way He WILL provide.
I encourage you to put your hand to the plow and not look back.
Of course we know how the story goes. The Lord, because He
is Faithful and Good, provided manna from heaven that fed their bellies while
wandering the desert for 40 years. Then in Joshua 5:11-12 (after the Israelites
had crossed over into the Promised Land) we read:
is Faithful and Good, provided manna from heaven that fed their bellies while
wandering the desert for 40 years. Then in Joshua 5:11-12 (after the Israelites
had crossed over into the Promised Land) we read:
“The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some
of the produce of the land, unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna
stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any
manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.�
of the produce of the land, unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna
stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any
manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.�
The Israelites had just experienced another HUGE transition
by crossing into the Promised Land. The Israelites are simultaneously breaking
down strongholds and destroying cities while also restoring their nation and
rebuilding their homes and communities. You will find something quite different
during this transition though. The Israelites aren’t afraid, anxious or
grumbling to each other and to their leaders. In fact, Scriptures shows us that
they take what is rightfully theirs. They fight with courage and confidence
because their strength and trust rests in the Lord. They eat freely off the land because as children
of the High King of Heaven, it is their inheritance.
by crossing into the Promised Land. The Israelites are simultaneously breaking
down strongholds and destroying cities while also restoring their nation and
rebuilding their homes and communities. You will find something quite different
during this transition though. The Israelites aren’t afraid, anxious or
grumbling to each other and to their leaders. In fact, Scriptures shows us that
they take what is rightfully theirs. They fight with courage and confidence
because their strength and trust rests in the Lord. They eat freely off the land because as children
of the High King of Heaven, it is their inheritance.
They learn the Truth: God is their Protector and Provider.
And He is yours as well.
