A Spiritual Journey

I ended my last post with a question about how to make the full journey each time change presents a new opportunity. I believe the journey is made relying more on inner strength than outer circumstances. We are each on a providential journey with God and He has goals in mind for our transformation. The first step we must take is toward God, trusting Him for the outcome.

The change that represents total upheaval in our soul and psyche is not upsetting to God at all. He sees the end from the beginning and knows the plans He has for each of us - plans for our welfare, not our destruction. The journey begins by trusting God.

In times of transition, we have God's promise, provision and presence to sustain us. God knows that changes come into our lives ... old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. [2 Cor 5:17] Sometimes it's God Himself doing the "new thing!" Behold, I will do a new thing. [Isa 43:19] This may create a greater challenge because, if it's God, we think we shouldn't be feeling any negative emotion. But God knows our frame and that we run the gamut of feelings. It's ok! In fact, it's necessary to feel our emotions.

God is with us on our journey. He knows the way we take and has promised to be with us every step of the way. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. [Isa 43:2] God will provide a way through each transition ... I will make a roadway in the wilderness. [Isa 43:19] His provision counteracts the fears we may face, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. [2 Tim 1:7] And He has promised His presence will be with us ... I will never leave you nor forsake you. [Deut 31:6, 8; Heb 13:5]

In addition to God's promise, provision and presence, we also have His process. However, this is very often where we want His miracles! The first chapter of Genesis tells of the process God used to create the heavens and the earth. He did not "poof" the world into existence, but He created it across time. So, too, our transitions take time. God works in the process of time and He has plan and purpose for the times in our lives.

God uses time to bring about His will. We are living in time, but God is outside of time. He sees us complete in His Son. He knows that the middle-muddle we find ourselves in today is simply part of the process needed to bring us into the fullness of His plan for our future. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. [Eccl 3:1]

Time is a gift from God giving us space to grieve, to learn, to grow, to become, to enjoy and to get our bearings before we move on to the next season. So take all the time you need! In order to make the full journey each time we face change we must understand it is a process. The process becomes our spiritual journey and it will be repeated throughout our lives.

Dying - Grieving - Living

I wrote that title for my transition after the death of my husband five years ago. I felt it reflected my actual journey through his dying, my grieving and the hope of living again. However, as I've continued observing, studying and teaching about transition, I've come to realize these elements are part of every transition we make.

There is a dying to what has ended. Then we must fully pass through the grieving, feeling the highs and the lows. As we return to living we discover a new beginning often means another transition. And so it goes ... we move forward with wisdom gained only to find a new situation that has lessons to be learned.

Transition is the transforming process of change. There are several words in that statement that we'd just as soon do without. Words like transition, process, change, and even transforming. I was quite happy the way I was, thank you very much!

Sometimes we go through change without making the transition. However, we remain unchanged. And while we think that's okay, we soon discover others are moving in new directions without us. Sometimes we go through change angry, but that only leaves us bitter. Sometimes we enter transitions hopeful, but not quite sure what we're hoping for. If we're unable to define it, we most likely won't recognize it.

So how do we make the full journey each time change presents a new opportunity? It's a really good question that deserves a proper answer. Let me think about it, pray about it and get back to you.

A New Beginning

One of God's great promises is a new beginning. He is faithful to allow us new opportunities day after day. This blog represents a new day and a new beginning for me. When I first began my Transition to Transformation workshop, it was focused on individuals coming through a specific change in life into the next season. As I've studied and observed transition, I see that's the microscopic view. There is much to be learned and gleaned from the transition process. The first lesson is to understand it is a process. The current situation will change, but the process will continue. This is true of individuals, families, and all types of communities.

We're all in this together so please join me as we begin again ... it's never too late! God promises!