So This is Transition . . . .
Guitar in hand, my daughter wrote her first song. She entitled it “Moving On.”
Weeks of quarantine and isolation in the epicenter of the COVID outbreak had taken its toll and music was her only reprieve. The words spilled out of her soul:
“And life isn’t always like rainbows in the sky . . . normal isn’t normal anymore . . . safe isn’t safe anymore . . . moving on, moving on, moving on . . . .”
Uprooting our family is not what we had planned. But . . . as events far beyond our control caused us (and the rest of the world) to tailspin, we questioned if it was time to make the big move. Guided by God’s provisional hand, we transitioned (once again) from the familiar to the unknown in a new ministry setting.
Transition: the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
The word itself embodies the idea of movement from one place to the next. It encompasses music, writing, science and everyday life experiences. We all love a beautiful transition when the melody goes up a key or when a writer bridges two thoughts in a cohesive manner.
Transitions in childhood are common and celebrated. We adapt to them swiftly, leaping from one milestone to the next.
In adulthood transition becomes much harder. We love to establish routine and safe surroundings. If only they stayed that way! Unfortunately, transitions in adulthood are just as common: finishing college, beginning a career, getting married, the death of a loved one, moving, having children, changing a career, et cetera.
All these situations are normal and for the most part should be expected. Then why do they frighten or catch us by surprise?
Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses about the changes we face as humanity. He begins by painting a majestic picture of the Everlasting God, Creator of heaven and earth – the One who is beyond time and space, and sovereign over all.
In contrast to such divinity is mankind: made from dust, exposed, troubled . . . yet loved. In verse six, Moses compares our lifetime to grass that flourishes in the morning and by evening it has withered. It has moved on from one state to another, exposing us to our own brevity.
With that in mind we are encouraged: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
The verse implies such a reaction is not an automatic response. It has to be taught . . . learned . . . practiced. After more research, I discovered the word “wisdom” in this context can be compared to a skill. Skills need to be practiced and perfected for us to become proficient.
So how do we become proficient at transitioning? Psalm 90 models it for us:
First, acknowledge where your life sits on the grand heavenly timeline before a Holy God.
Consider your own brevity.
Lean hard on the Almighty.
Practice acceptance of the constant flow of life with its changes.
Turn to the Unchanging One and trust in His steady and constant love.
Remind yourself of all the times God has carried you through other transitional seasons.
Praise.
My daughter’s song caused me to tear up as the melancholy melody reached my ears. This was her way of handling the massive loss of normalcy in her life. She realized she had no control of her circumstances and there was a need to accept it and move on. The surprising part is the beauty discovered in the transition.
Written by Kori, LIFE Staff