Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
In this life we are always going through transition, sometimes more forcefully than others, sometimes willingly, and sometimes unwillingly and unknowingly. Sometimes we choose to transition out of necessity, sometimes out of love, but honestly …more often out of fear. Sometimes we choose to transition all the WHILE white knuckling the fear that is in us. Sometimes we KNOW that the transition is going to be good for us – but are totally uncertain what the process will be like and all the challenges we will face. My wife and I are facing a BIG transition in career and geography most likely in the next year. Retirement…. packing, selling, and moving out of state. This will most likely be the biggest transition of geography in our married life. This is exciting and challenging all at the same time. The above verse has been a foundation for me through MANY challenges in my life. It’s the process I use as I navigate all the daily steps trying to always move forward in the daily challenges.
How much do I trust the Lord? Do I trust Him the small things as well as the big things? Do I trust Him to ‘lead the way’? Do I have the patience to wait and listen to Him? Can I step out of the comfortable, warm, stable boat onto the water?!! I think … “Only if you take my hand … Jesus!!” Can I hear Him over my fears? Can I rehearse His love in my heart when I am faced with things well beyond my experience and ability? Can I make the appointments I know we’ll need not knowing what exactly and when it will all happen? Can I reach out and ask others to join with us in prayer over this whole process? Leaving established community and friends we’ve had for decades and starting over will not be easy. We will be forced to make new foundations, and connections as we transition.
Do I always lean on my own understanding? That’s where naturally I begin every process, but then out of choice and my will I give it all back to Him. I ask for His peace as I attempt to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. I’m old enough to know I will ALWAYS come across challenges that I have no clue what to do – especially in big transition times, and I cherish His advice and peace as I move into unknown territory. I need to be humble, wise, and discerning as I ask for help from others. I ask Him to lead me to the right people He wants me to connect with.
Do I acknowledge Him throughout the entire process? Am I willing to admit I need His help? Am I willing to acknowledge Him and introduce Him to others along the path and process? Can I speak boldly about my faith in Him? Geographic transition and job transition usually means almost daily new opportunities to interact with people we don’t know, can I be bold enough to acknowledge Him in our conversation. Can I be wise enough to ask Him what to say and when with all these new interactions? Can I just use the words He gives me? Or will I allow my ‘need’ to be ‘liked’ be the main motivator of what I say? Moving into new territory is always scary for most people. What is your motivator? Your fears or your faith? Is it the ‘still small voice’ in your spirit and mind from the Holy Spirit that you follow, or is it all the negative thoughts swimming in your head?
What is your desire? To walk His path or try to walk yours … alone. Personally … I’d rather He lead the way. I love His straight path – my problem is often taking the ‘rabbit trails’ off that path. Big transition will require an even more focused ‘ear’ … listening for Him for EACH step of the way.
Lord Jesus … lead on.