That breathtaking hump in between the long, slow incline and the steep, exhilarating drop of a roller coaster. #thecamelback
That season in between the wonder of childhood and reality of adulthood. #teenlife
Those seemingly endless months (or years, in my case) in between dating and marriage. #engagement
The piercing pain in between the final hours of pregnancy & giving birth to a baby. #transition
And as some of my natural sisters have experienced, the state of your hair in between a relaxer and going all natural. LORD, have mercy...
Transition.
The process of giving birth to a new season in our lives is never easy, nor is it comfortable. How do I know this? Well, I've been in transition before, I am in transition now, and I know that I will inevitably be in transition again in the future.
The challenge of transition is trust.
Not in our own reasonings, feelings, facts and knowledge, but trust in God. Oftentimes, when we make the decision to live a life of faith in God, we are presented with the opportunity to allow our faith to be tested.
Will we remain confident in God's will and control of our lives when nothing makes sense?
Will we walk blindfolded down the road of His sovereign will as He leads us one step at a time?
Can we trust that God is in control even when we feel like everything is out of control?
I don't know what season you are in right now, but as for me and my house, we are right in the thick of transition. For the last few months, we have taken steps of faith down a road that seems uncertain, in obedience to three specific words from the Lord.
Do they make sense? No.
Has this been a comfortable season of bliss? No.
Have I tried to figure everything out in my mind and allowed confusion to rob my peace and joy? Yes. And too often than not.
Has this season challenged my walk with God & exercised my patience? Absolutely.
If you are in a season of transition like my family and me, I believe that God is calling us to a higher level of trusting Him. His will. His foresight. His omnipotence. His ability. His love. His character. His faithfulness. His goodness. His correction.
Even at the very end of last year, when I was unaware of an upcoming transition in my life, God whispered, Are you willing to trust me? Immediately, my spirit picked up on what the situation was and my heart became strengthened for the upcoming challenge. I knew that God was forecasting the next season through this simple yet profound question, and I felt gratitude for His love to even prepare me for what was ahead. Sure enough, the change that I sensed in my heart became a reality & I have spent this year in total trust and reliance on the Lord in an area that I once had not, riding the roller coaster of faith with my arms raised. Walking the dimly lit path of trust with my eyes on the Light.
Now, another transition is at hand. One that I surely didn't see coming.
But nevertheless, here we are. You and I are on the camel's back again. The hump between the long way up and the full speed decline into God's will. From faith to faith.
Our challenge now is not to understand. Not to over-think the details, which are sure to cause all kinds of anxiety and worry. But just to acknowledge Him.
In all our ways, not just the ones we understand and have down to a science. But the ways we don't understand. The ways that don't make sense. The ways that seem ridiculous, except for the fact that they are led by His voice.
In ALL our ways, let's decide to acknowledge Him and trust that He will make our path straight.
I don't know if you're facing a major decision, looking for a new job, preparing for a move, or maybe just screaming at the top of the camel's back saying, "Forget it! I just want off of this thing!" Wherever you are, right here, right now, I invite you to relinquish control of your destiny and rest in God. Put an end to the drowning, gasping-for-air feeling of worry and make a decision to lay on your back and float in the ocean of God's grace. Trust that He is fully aware of exactly where you are right now and will not leave you alone in this process.
Be still and know that He is going to work this out, and begin to exhale...right here, in the middle of transition.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths. (Prov. 3:5-6 NKJV)
You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You.Trust in the Lord forever,For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:2-4 NKJV)
