Transitions in life sometimes happen smoothly and clearly.
Sometimes, for example, you follow the regular processes of applying for a job, doing the job interview and landing that new role without much fuss.
Other times, you’re feeling like you’re navigating a more unorthodox approach as you transition from one thing to the next. You’re not really sure how it’ll all come out in the wash but you’re stepping forward bit by bit as – you believe – you’re hearing God’s voice and prompting of what he wants you to do.
As I write, I’m wondering which way is more biblical. I’m thinking that’s also perhaps not the right question to ask. I don’t think they can be compared.
Consider transitions in the Bible:
Sometimes people are given a clear instruction from God, like Abraham who is told “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”
Others are given a word or prophecy from another, like David who when returning from looking after the sheep in the fields one day, meets the prophet, Samuel. Samuel is the one given the word from God that David will be the next king of Israel: “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” And Samuel does just that.
David’s journey to being king, however, is rather traumatic.
As is a major conversion in the life of the New Testament writer, Paul.
Paul – who the Bible refers to by his Hebrew name, Saul at this point – was going on a journey, thinking he was going to one place to do a certain thing. But God stopped him in a rather abrupt manner. He became impaired in one sense – sight – which left him physically impaired and in need of support to get anywhere.
He was led into the city of Damascus, where a man named Ananias was told by God to go to Paul and what the message was: “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel”. After receiving the message, Paul was able to see again, got baptised and started eating once more, as he had not for three days.
A pretty rough transition but also an exciting one. Paul was being set up perfectly for his next role. It was just that God doesn’t always use the ways that we would use to do things.
This should come as no surprise, and yet it often does.
As I continue studying and wondering where God might be leading me, I’m thinking about how these three men and others in the Bible manoeuvre through their transitions. There is no template to follow: no clear better or worse way. Just God’s way to follow, which will look different for each of us.
This of course, can make things confusing, for both ourselves and others around us, as he can lead us on some very scenic routes.
I’m telling myself that a good thing to remember is what God says to his very own Son at his point of transition into a new role – his earthly ministry – at his baptism.
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
And if we are listening to God and following him step by step through the sometimes-unclear path, then by his grace, we will please Him also.
For at the end of the day, whatever the transition looks like, our relationship with God and obedience to Him, is actually the most important thing.
Yours holding a blurry map,
Alison
In truth, the sign off should probably be something more like ‘holding a blurry map and updating her ‘shop’ page to give greater payment access to her hopefully soon-to-launch-properly side hustle’. But that felt a smidge long, don’t you think?
