Transitions Part 1...

What is a transition. Transition is the process of moving from one idea or place to another. Some words or phrases, when referring to a transition might be: furthermore, in addition to, for example, additionally, as a result, consequently, etc. The transitional words connect a previous thought or idea with an upcoming one to be expressed or realized.

With a transition, something happens, we then start to either recognize or engage in a set of circumstances that is leading us to another place. This is what I’m experiencing in the latter half of 2020 and is now becoming clearer.

For the past few years, at the end of summer, I have taken some time and began praying specifically about what is next for me. I ask the Lord, what does he have for me in the coming year. At the end of August, I start looking forward to January and what He might be asking or where He might be leading. Usually, I don’t perceive His answer right away, but by January 1st, He has never failed to speak and give me a clearer vision for the upcoming year.

This year, I started praying at the end of August. By Labor Day, I had two words that started popping up all over the place in my life. On tv, in sermons, in songs, in conversation; it was all over the place and right in my face. Those two words were Submit and Simplify.

Oddly enough, once I “heard” those two words, I kind of knew what was coming and what I needed to do. I didn't recognize that those two words were the precursor to a transition. First, I needed to submit to God fully (which is not a one and done thing, I need to remember this daily.) I needed to get back to a deeper walk and commitment to the Lord. Its not that I had fallen totally away from God, but I knew I needed to do a better job of putting Him first in my life. I needed to ask Him for help in my trouble areas. I needed to submit all of my ways to Him and stop trying to do things on my own.

Second, for me to respond to what God has for me, I need to simplify some areas of my life. I’m still working on this, but I have already cut back on some things. Being super busy prevented me from giving my all to what is yet to come. Some things that I had been involved with needed to end and some may simply be put on hold. In any case, I knew, whatever was coming down the road, was different than what occupying my time.

A couple of things are not going away. The music ministry and race chaplain ministry are staying. I believe those two areas are part of the transition. They are the two areas that I feel I need to TRANSITION back into with all my efforts and energy.

For me, I know that in order to transition into what God has for me next, and for where I need to go in joining Him, I need to submit and simplify things in my life. It is a continual process of submitting and simplifying to make sure I am listening for His voice.

As I submit and as I continue to simplify, I’ve recognized some next steps, but not the entirety of the transition. I will continue to pray and wait for that to become clear. I do have a sense that He needs to prepare me a bit, before I can take the next leap. More on this in future posts, so stay tuned.

What do we do when we know transition is coming? Hopefully we prepare, we get things right with God, and we put things in order and look forward to what is yet to come.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Joshua 1:9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 says “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

As I prepare for my personal transition (which has a few aspects to it and again, more on that in future posts…) I do know this…

1. God knows the best plans for me. He has great plans and will give me a hope and a future. A future that I do not need to worry about. I do not need to worry if I am equipped to carry it out. I do not need to worry if I will like it or not. I need to trust Him in the transition and know that whatever it is, it is His design, desire and plan. (Joshua 29:11)
2. I have confidence in being strong and courageous. Fear does not need to govern me in whatever the transition is that God is bringing me through, because He is with me wherever He sends me, wherever I go. (Joshua 1:9)
3. As I move forward in transition, I know He is with me. The Lord himself has promised to not let me do this alone and He lets me know that I do not need to be discouraged! (Deuteronomy 31:8)

It's going to be interesting to look back at this series of posts, after a year or two, and see what God did, that I didn’t see at the time. I will trust, I will pray and I will eagerly anticipate this transition that I feel the Lord is bringing me through.

Stay tuned for another post soon and stay tuned if you’d like to walk through this transition and journey with me. I think, I’m hoping, I’m praying and I’m expecting exciting things to pop up along the way.

Stay strong in the Lord and in His mighty power all. Until next time….
Ephesians 6:10 – “Be Strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
​Tim