All of us experience seasons of transition in life. Be it from high school to university, single to married, one workplace or ministry to another, or even one city or nation to another, the nature and challenges of transition are similar. Transition can be both glorious and terrifying!
In seasons of transition, we are tested and stretched by new circumstances and relationships, and it can be tempting to look back and cling to the certainty and comfort of the last season while steeling our emotions against the uncertainty of what’s to come. But the Lord calls us to move with Him through the seasons of life and trust His work and timing.
In the Christian life, there are foundational seasons where God establishes us and nurtures us in His love. Then, rooted and grounded in love, He invites us to transition and partner with Him in sharing that love with people in every sphere of society.
Such an invitation challenges our comfort zones, for often we must face the giants of hostility and rejection as we confront the elements of unbelief and skepticism.
Jesus has created each one of us for impact and to bear fruit in different environments and different spheres. He’s called some to give their lives to ministry in the church or house of prayer. He’s called others to give their lives to this being a teacher, a mom, or a businessman; still others to being in media or music or some other arena of society.
Wherever He’s called you, however, He’s called you to bear fruit for His kingdom. Wherever you find yourself, you are in full-time ministry, full-time service to the King, called to bear fruit as you pursue your destiny in God.
In new seasons and times of transition, God is actually calling us into seasons of greater fruitfulness, no matter how stretched and challenged we feel. You have the Holy Spirit and God’s Word whenever you go in the next season, and the Lord’s goal in the transition is that you would be able to apply all that you’ve learned in the last place of nurturing and growing in love.
Though the season of transition may be challenging, there are four aspects of God’s leadership that we should always remember. Paul highlights these four aspects in Romans 8:28.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:28)
Whatever season you’re in remember this: the leadership of God is always good. He is working everything for your benefit. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He is a good and a wise shepherd and is not shocked by the circumstances in which you find yourself. His rod and His staff will comfort you in the midst of the circumstances. If we find ourselves with no light in a new season (and God may sometimes seem to be absent), we don’t try to make our own way in our own strength, but lean into the goodness of His leadership and rely on His faithfulness.
What He started He will complete. If He called you He will cause you to shine with His glory. Next week you might find yourself in a very different season than you find yourself in today, but the Lord has not forgotten what He started in you. He will complete what He started. Why? Because you are His workmanship. He knows what He’s doing. He’s committed to the process. He who called you will glorify you. He who began a good work will bring it to completion. When it seems there is no way forward in the next two, five, or ten years, remember: He will make a way because what He started in you He is going to complete.
Just because we say God makes all things work for your good, it doesn’t mean His goal is to make you rich and famous in this life. His aim is to help you stay faithful throughout life, and to cause you to finish the race looking like Jesus. His aim is to transform you into His image. Make your goal the same goal that God has for you—not to be rich, not to be famous. His goal for your life above all other goals is to transform you into the image of His Son. As King David said in Psalm 17:15, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness.” Make it your goal to be satisfied by finishing your race in the likeness of Jesus. In the race He has for each one of us, the valleys, the mountains, the trials, the joy, and all that lies ahead with life, family, career, and ministry, God’s goal is to make us look like His beloved Son. And you can make that the dream of your heart, too.
If God is for you, who can be against you? When God is for you there’s only one person can be against you. There’s only one person who can take you out of the will of God for your life, and it’s you. By refusing to yield to the journey and refusing to yield to the process in the seasons of transition, you can take yourself out of the race. When you hit those bumps or hit those valleys, and you say, “God, where are you?” remember this, He is for you! He is fighting for you! He is watching over you!
What He began He will finish, therefore make it your goal today in whatever season you may find yourself, to pursue what God is pursuing in your life. Pursue the fullness of the Spirit. Pursue Christlikeness in love, in word, and in deed. Make it your goal and your decision to always trust His leadership. When it gets tough, you can always say, “God, I don’t see the way forward but You do, and I entrust my life into Your hands.” Make the decision that whatever comes next, you will stay steady because He who called you is faithful.
