“He went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8.

As wonderful as spring is, it yet again highlights one of the sometimes difficult challenges of life – transition.

Some people handle transition really well. They thrive off the change and the newness. Most people I know though prefer some sense of stability, and unless the change is something they’ve asked for, they’re not so quick to jump on the bandwagon of what God is up to.

I’ve gone through some transitions of my own recently, and while I know God’s hand is in it, it’s hard to always know what He’s up to. No duh! I have to remind myself that He has a habit of revealing things when He knows we’re ready for them, not on our timetable.

You might be graduating high school or college, starting a new job, waiting to find a new job, in a new relationship, ending an old relationship, ready to get married and settle down, at the end of a chapter and waiting to start a new one, seeking a new adventure, etc. There are so many transitions we can go through in this life.

So what do we do when we’re in the middle of transition?

• We look to Him.

The difference between embracing a transition in life and running from it is where we are looking. Are you mentally dwelling and meditating on your circumstances? This is the natural pull of our flesh. And why Jesus told us repeatedly “Do not worry”! (Matthew 6). He knew that would be our temptation. Check your thoughts. Repent of the fretting, then get focused on Him – put on a worship song, read the Word, pray.

• We focus on what we can control.

Perhaps you’re like me, and are asking the Lord, “What’s next?” You know you don’t want to go back to where you were, but you don’t know what’s to come. In those moments, stress can rise and take over if we’re not careful. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do this…” Psalm 37:5. Give to God what only He can do, and focus on what you can do. Pray, meditate on the Word, then get going – clean your closets, help a friend in need, make that call you know you need to make, write that letter. Do what you can do, then trust God with the rest. It’s amazing how this helps.

• We enjoy the precious present moments.

Keep a journal – I guarantee there are wonderful things happening around you right now that you are missing because of focusing on the unknowns. Allow yourself to enjoy the “right now” – the people who are in your life, the beautiful spring weather, the quiet moments with the Lord, the job you have, the relationship you’re in, etc. Don’t be so focused on what’s next or to come, or rushing out of the current difficulties, that you miss the other hundreds of wonderful things happening all around you, right now.

The key is to keep His kingdom as our focus, and ask Him how He wants to use us right now. Don’t miss the lesson in the transition.

God is good, let’s keep chasing Him together.

Your sister in Christ,

Jacklyn

Read Oswald Chamber’s devotion on the topic, “Will you go without knowing?”: https://utmost.org/will-you-go-out-without-knowing/