Change,
New Expectations, New Responsibilities, Different Roles.
Each
of those phrases brings out emotional responses in everyone. Some of us fear
change. Some of us welcome new responsibilities. No matter what, life is filled
with transitions. In nature it is innate, we move from the new life of spring,
to the energy of summer, to the colors of fall, and finally to the chill of
winter. Transitions in life are natural,
God intended them for us.
I will
be honest, I don't like change. I am a person who gets very comfortable with my
life. However if you read in Ecclesiastes 3 there is a time for everything:
For everything there is a season, and a time for
every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is
planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time
to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from
embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes
3: 2-8
Sobering
thoughts from the Bible.
So how
do we handle times of transition?
First
we must not fear them, but see them as a time to grow closer to God.
Transitions
are “wilderness” times where we discover or re-discover our identity and where
God prepares us for the next chapter in our story.
Second we must remember that as Christ followers God is with us.
"Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5
Remember
God is always with us and He invites change into our lives sometimes just so
that we can lean on him. Always remember God's goal is not to make us happy but
to bring Himself the most glory!
Finally
as we go through transitions in life, cling to the promises of God's Word.
I
have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set
your rules before me.
I
cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let
me not be put to shame!
I
will run in the way of your commandments
when
you enlarge my heart!
Teach
me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Psalms
119: 30 - 33
The
result of following God through His word is always positive. It is hard
sometimes but the result is always what God had intended for us.
This
time of year always brings about a time of transition for families as students
start school. Whether you have a child going to kindergarten, middle school or
college, these times of change can be tough. But just remember that God is with
you and them, trust in His word to guide you and because of this you can always
know that God is in control of the Transition.
- Marty Burgess
College Pastor, BCC
