I realized something yesterday. First, let me say I am a big sports fan. I love most any sport, especially football. In fact, my favorite team is in the AFC championship game this Sunday, and I am excited for a win! I also like to watch college basketball. One thing that is true about basketball is that the team that manages the transition game best will win. That is the team that figures out how to make the most of every opportunity that the opposition gives them. That is the key to winning the game. I realized today that when we serve as pastors, ministers, missionaries, or just Christians in general, the same is true.
Someone said once that the only thing that is constant about life is that it changes. Transitions are everywhere. As a pastor, much of my ministry has been to people in transition (graduation, death of a loved one, getting married, having a kid, etc.). It is in the transitions of our lives that we really can grasp who God is and how much he loves us. It is then we see his grace and mercy abound.
As Rhonda, I and our kids are preparing for our appointment, (only 35% left to raise!) we have been in a transition for about 8 months now. It is an interesting place to be. There is great joy that God has led us to this new venture for His Kingdom and trusted it to us. There is also a little anxiety, and some fear of the unknown. But the great thing for us is that we have seen God provide for us in so many ways through this transition. He has brought people and churches into our lives who have supported us and helped to provide for our financial support. He has placed in our current church where we have made some great lifetime friends and grown closer to the Lord. It is in our transition that God has really shown himself faithful to us and to the calling he has given us. This journey is full of joy!
2 Corinthians 4:1,18
"Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart….So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
An adaptation of "A Prayer for Major Life Transitions" from Common Prayer by Shane Claiborne.
"Lord, help me now to unclutter my life, to organize myself in the direction of simplicity. Lord, teach me to listen to my heart; teach me to welcome transition, instead of fearing it. Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me. I give you my discontent. I give you my restlessness. I give you my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all the longings I hold inside. I also give you my joy! I give you my excitement and expectations! Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; help me to listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of your open door."
Only Through God's Grace,
J.D.