Transitions
are never easy; however, they are one of the constants in the human
experience. Whether we want them or not, whether we are prepared or
unprepared, the seasons of our life move in one direction: forward.
As
newborns we become toddlers; we learn to garble and then talk; we
learn to stumble, fall and eventually walk. We are taught things by
parents and learn things through experience. We have our first day
of school, middle school, high-school, etc. We have our first crush,
our first date; we marry, have our first child. We get our first
job, first car, first paycheck...and the pattern continues. We move
from being children to young adults; young adults to middle-aged;
middle-aged to early retired; retired to just...tired.
Of
course, there are transitions that go far beyond just our human
natural maturation. Transitions happen within families at the loss
of a loved one, when a child goes to college, when a spouse get's
ill; within companies when one is promoted, demoted or when a company
downsizes; within a church when it MERGES, calls a new pastor,
disciples new leadership, experiences new growth, or finds itself
aging. Each transition brings new challenges and new opportunities.
In
January The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul will be eight years old.
We have been through a lot together; December marks my (and my
family's) third year in sharing this journey with you as a family
member (s) and shepherd.
I
see the Spirit visibly at work in us and as we continue to submit to
his Word and leading, and I see bright days ahead in regards to
Kingdom of God living and serving. For me this is no small
statement; I have rarely been able to say this in many of the other
church contexts in which I have served. However, for us to continue
to be fertile and receptive in following our Lord's direction, I
believe we must embrace the transitions
that He is now bringing us through.
The
Lord has drawn new members and friends to our body; not only do we
desire to continue to love and serve these new people, we will need
their gifts and support to continue to be effective as a New Covenant
community of Christ. More of our active members have become too ill
to serve, or have been drawn home to Lord. Many of us have
transitioned into stages of our lives that have forced us to realize
that we can no longer do the things we have done in the past.
However, we have also experienced a slew of newly retired working
professionals who now have more time for discipleship and ministry
engagement and this has been a huge “shot in the arm” for us.
Thanks be to God.
With
me will you open your hearts to the transitions that God is bringing
us through as a church? Where might he want to use you? What are
some things that he is trying to show you? Where might you need to
change your approach, and where might you need to look for another?
How does God want to heal you in 2015, and where does he want to
stretch you?
As
we were reminded this week in our small group study of Hebrews:
Heb
2:14-15
Since, therefore,
the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the
same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has
the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who
all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.
We have nothing to fear.
Christmas reminds us that the Christ-child came to take on the form
of flesh to represent us and save us by his death on the cross. In
this death the evil one (here Satan being the figure-head of all that
is in rebellion to God and his Kingdom) has been defeated, and we no
longer have anything to fear because we have no punishment or
death to be worried about.
The Lord walks with us day
by day through our transitions. We are not alone, and we have
nothing to fear. Let us EMBRACE our transitions as a church and
in our personal lives; it will not be easy, but we do not walk alone.
Thanks be to
God.