Transitions

 

1/2/2021

2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

My family is looking at a major life transition. Like many of these events, it came on without our desiring it. I know that has happened to a lot of folks, especially during the turbulence that is swirling about our world. Our transition will, most likely, have us moving again. We have already done this seven times since we got married, and most of these moves occurred within a ten year span. It is said that moving is one of the biggest stressors in life, but living during a pandemic has certainly put that idea into perspective for me. Although I have not read anything about the stress of moving during a pandemic. 

Like much of what has happened last year (2020), we are facing another unknown. Are we excited about it? Well, I guess it depends on which one of us you ask. Are we trusting that God has a plan? We absolutely are! As a family, we are seeking His will in this area, and we are secure that the door He opens will be the right one. We know He will lead us where He wants us. Will it be somewhere we want to go or ever expected to like? It doesn't look like it is shaping up that way. Are we excited about the possibilities for serving Him in a new area? We sure are.

Traveling to where God calls you is a common theme in the Bible. The Old Testament is loaded with stories about God leading His people from one place to another. Even as the New Testament begins, we see Joseph and Mary traveling. They knew why the trip had to be made, but they could not have possibly known how the events of Jesus' birth would play out. No room for them in the Inn? How could that be? Why wouldn't the Son of God be born into the grandest accommodations? The King of Kings born in a manger? Yes, indeed. Jesus had humble beginnings and continued to live the most humble if lives. Does this make Jesus any less of a king?

The other story of travel in the beginning of the New Testament is the one of the wise men. They journeyed from the east to bring gifts and bow to the new born King. Did they truly understand what they would find when they arrived? Did they have a divine visitation as well? We will never know. We do know that the magi stopped to ask Herod about the new king. If they had full knowledge of how Herod would react, they probably would not have done that. This, of course, brought on a fulfillment of prophecy from Jeremiah 31:15. The magi's journey had purpose, or it would not be a part of what we know of Christ's birth. They were noble men of wisdom that came to bow down to the baby born in a manger and bring him precious gifts. Their journey ended in being able to see the face of Jesus, and what possible better ending of a journey could there be? 

I know my family's travels will not be like that of the magi or the other journeys in the Bible, but we are leaving ourselves totally open to God's leading. We are still seeking our precious Savior throughout it all. Something good to focus on in the New Year, whether you are in a time of transition or a time of waiting; listening to God and following His call on your life is the most important thing any of us can do. Trusting God while the evil one tries so hard to pull us away from Him is the battle, but the if our armor is secure, we can stand against those schemes firm and secure, for our God has already won the war!