IT’S TRANSITION TIME

Transition means being in transit; to be transported from one place to another; to be in between places. You’re betwixt and between; not here but not there. You’ve already left but not yet arrived. You’re no longer a child but not an adult; no longer a junkie but not totally clean. You’re saved but not a Christian. A Christian but not really saved. Our Christian life is called a walk because we are in transition. We are not home but we are on our way to our destination.

I remember being in a time of transition. Being able to smell my promise land and the vision God gave me but not able to see it. I was in the middle of my journey and knew that the struggle was almost over but I couldn’t see the end.  I was tired, broke, hungry, lonely and weary but I knew I couldn’t give up. I could see myself in the future and I was much better than what I used to be.  I wasn’t where I wanted to be but I knew I couldn’t go back to where I was because I was the best I’d ever been; I’d come too far; I’d given up too much but the struggle was tough. I cried out God where are you? How long will this last? And in the middle of it all He reached out to me; He physically comforted me and gave me His strength. You see, His word tells us that if we seek Him He shall be found by us (Jeremiah 29:12-14). He never said the journey was going to be easy but He promised never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He knew my weakness but had already made a provision for it (2 Corinthians 12:9). He told me I can overcome because greater is He that’s in me than him that’s in the world.  He said you may have trouble and suffering but He’s conquered it all for me already (John 16:33). But Lord I’m lonely...hold on; Lord it’s been over a year...hold on; Lord I am tired....just hold on...just a little while longer because I know the plans I have for you; It’s to prosper you (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and eyes have not seen nor ears heard what I can do (1 Corinthians 2-9) so just hold on a little while longer.  You’re in transition and I am on the journey with you.  I’m in the boat with you so don’t be afraid.  Don’t let the Jericho walls deter you, walk around them seven times then blow your trumpet and watch them crumble (Joshua 6).

Being in transition is a dangerous place to be. You’ve left Egypt but you’re not yet at the Promise Land. You’re being transported from one place to another, from one situation to another. You’re on a diet but not yet lost any weight. Praying and fasting but no breakthrough yet. It's an uncomfortable and unsettling place. You’re betwixt and between so you can't get comfortable. There’s just enough room to sit down but not enough room to stretch. You’re crying out Lord where are you..I’m in a dangerous place. You reach for things that give you comfort; anything to ease the strain and pain. Sampson reached for Delilah (Judges 16). He was a strong man but he was tired and in transition and sought comfort in the wrong person. We are all drawn to pleasure and not pain but often short term pleasure brings long term pain.

Joshua was faced with this problem when he reached the Jordan River. He was close enough to see it but not strong enough to cross it. The children of Israel were all behind him, they were stuck in transition (Joshua 3). What is your Jordan River and who is depending on you; your wife, your children, your family, your congregation?

Much of our Christian walk is spent in transit. We know what we are called to do and we are on the way there but we have to wade through the waters navigating life’s twist and turns. We have to climb out of the ditches and get over the mountains. We have to fight the loneliness and resist the temptations but the good news is the Lord knows where we are and just as with Joshua, the Lord told him I will never leave nor abandon you. As with Moses when he spoke to Pharaoh; I shall be with you. The Lord our God was with the children of Israel at the beginning of the journey, in the middle and at the end. Our journey is a transition period, a renewing time. It’s the seed time before the harvest; the battle before the victory; the breaking before the rebuilding.

If you are weary the Lord will give you rest in your transition (Matthew 11:28). Your yoke is hard and your burden heavy but His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:30). We must be mindful of attaching ourselves to false promises of the deceiver in the midst of our transition. Are you in between jobs? It's a transition time. Lost a relationship or marriage? It's a transition time. Experiencing financial pressure? It's a transition time. Struggling to get your ministry going? Guess what...it’s a transition time. It's a waiting and renewing time. Waiting for a husband or wife? God is transforming you. Waiting for those crazy children to fix up? It's transition time. It's a time of new beginnings. Don’t get stuck in the darkness of the situation, look forward to the light because in the morning the light brings joy; praise your way out of the darkness of the journey and into the light of His joy (Psalm 30:4-5). Moses and the children of Israel spent forty years in the wilderness on their way to The Promise Land because they got stuck in the journey and started moaning but we serve a God of second chances and new beginnings. He used Joshua to bring them out of the wilderness. He told Joshua, be strong and courageous for I am with you (Joshua 1:9). Go to the land I have promised your ancestors; it's yours, from the east to the west wherever the sole of you foot treads I have given it to you (Joshua 1:2-4).

Our transition period is a time of allowing God to remould, reshape and renew us.  It’s a time of seeing things from a new perspective.  It’s a time of preparation. You are being prepared to be propelled into the promise for God’s purpose and along the way He will bless you. It’s a moving time and God’s ways are not our ways and his time is not our time so don’t build a house where you should pitch a tent....Keep moving and praising God.

It’s transition time!!!