For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed [received Jesus as our Savior] can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. II Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT).
Transition is what happens in and through us as we are “changed into His glorious image.” As we consider the change we need for the next phase of our journey, we need to remind ourselves that transition is the price of transformation.
Before Ken and I moved to Joy Cottage, we laid a foundation of prayer and waiting for God’s peace to direct us. We did this while prepping our home for sale, active involvement in my mother’s rehab of five months from a broken femur, being on staff at church, and a 40-hour commitment to renew my chaplaincy. (Transition happens while we are busy with life).
Ken and I knew that God had a plan in the midst of the swirl, so we pressed in to listen (listening is an ongoing discipline we will work on till the Lord returns). There were a lot of unknowns in the process, but we felt certain that once we relocated, we [in God’s timing], would walk into our next assignment. We could then trust through our transition because we reminded ourselves that every detail we gave up to the Lord would receive the best outcome.
Ten months after we transitioned to Joy Cottage, we saw God’s purpose for us. Time seemed to move at a pace beyond comprehension as we: set up household, began attending a new church, made new friends, and sought His purpose.
His purpose for us? To begin our missionary journey with children (insert happy little dance!). We are loving our new location, community, and the children we serve, but there were prices (God’s way, not ours) to be paid, and ongoing prices to be in this amazing adventure! The best part is that we can never out give our generous God. For whatever He requires as He transforms us, the outcome is ALWAYS “abundantly above and beyond all we can ever ask or think.”
While in the midst of transition:
- Pray, Pray, Pray: Ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do.
- Listen, Listen, Listen: And while you wait on His direction, take care of daily needs: job hunting, setting up household, tending to relationships, and or anything else that is needed in your situation.
- Trust the peace He provides:
- He will provide peace for each decision in His timing.
- Journal, lean into wise counsel, remind yourself of ways God has shown up for you in the past to under-gird your faith.
- Believe: God wants this next phase of your adventure for you more than you do!
- Seek God’s timing: You will receive His peace and His prompting. Pursue Him and receive His loving, perfectly-timed instruction.
- Find Scripture that speaks to your soul while you journey: pray it, say it, believe it. God is true to His Word, and when we walk by faith, He is pleased.
Dear Lord, thank you for the adventure of walking by faith, and not by sight. Please help us to recognize your peace so we can trust You through our transition. Please forgive us for resisting the unknown, and help us to relinquish our way for your way. We know that without faith it is impossible to please You. We commit our love and trust to You and thank You for all You have in store. Amen.
Blessings,
Jacquie ♥
But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (AMP).
Pray to receive Jesus in your heart: God Loves You
If you would like me to pray for you: Prayer Changes Everything
You speak from deep experience with God. Thank you for sharing what you’ve learned. Such a blessing!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Patty, it’s my privilege. I am blessed by your posts for exactly the same reason. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! The Lord will get us to our next step when we trust and obey. Thank you! Blessings today!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, Amen! He is so good to us, I love that He instructs us so we can navigate this life while leaning on Him. Blessings ♥
LikeLike
Good morning!
I’ve been enjoying your posts. I meant to tell you that yesterday. I love the graphics you find too.
God bless you today in whatever He has for you!
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling,
AND to present you before His GLORIOUS presence
WITHOUT FAULT AND WITH GREAT JOY
to the Only Wise God our Savior
Be Glory. Majesty. Power. Authority.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Before all ages, now and Forevermore!
AMEN!!!” (Jude 24-25)
May we have 20/20 vision for what He has for us this year!
Love, Branette
p.s. How can I pray for you today?
>
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Branette, I receive these words of encouragement. Thank you for always praying, and lending support. Your friendship is a blessing to Ken and I. We gratefully receive prayer for health and wisdom, today we are working on long range goals for the ministry, and reviewing our agenda for the in-service we are holding tomorrow. Love, Jacquie ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your wonderful, wise words of advice Jacquie. 🙂 It sounds like you have expertise in the area of transition. Have a great day! Thanks for sharing! Very helpful!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you Renee. I think this is my favorite part of our community – we glean from one another. Blessings to you and thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your feedback ♥
LikeLike
Absolute Truth!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for stopping by. Blessings!
LikeLike
I enjoyed this today, Jacquie. Journeying through the transition can bring out unease and a sense of forgetfulness regarding the nature of our Abba. I’m so grateful He blessed both you and Ken with wisdom to discern His leadings, courage to make many moves, patience to wait for His timing, rewards for obedience (pitter patter feet) and boldness to share snippets of the journey. May the Lord continually bless you both and all that Joy Cottage will participate in 😘
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Dee. I pray God’s wisdom, peace, and perfect timing continue to guide you as walk through in faith all that He has in store. I know your experiences will be the basis for some powerful Bible studies that you will write. (I can’t wait). God bless you and your loved ones as you look to the One who loves you best and most ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Jacquie, thank you for continuing to speak faith and life into me 🤗
LikeLiked by 2 people
My joy and privilege ♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely needed to hear this today
LikeLiked by 2 people
I pray His continued blessings and direction as we see what God has in store for 2020!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, Thanks
LikeLike
Amen to the beautiful prayer! Thanks for this encouragement as I go through a season of transition. My mom had a crack in her femur and is still having some complications from it. May God continue to bless you and Ken in your ministry to the youth. Didn’t realize you were a chaplain, that’s great! 💛
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dawn, I feel convinced that 2020 is going to be exciting with new direction and possibly calling for you. I pray your Mom experiences God’s healing touch, and that any weak or inflamed places in her femur are made every way whole. Ken and I receive your blessing and encouragement. ♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jacquie! I receive it! Thanks for the prayers for my mom. She says thank you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful words of wisdom 💕
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Deb, God bless you as you continue to minister to the littles. Thank you for being a conduit of His love and truth to these precious ones. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ms Jacquie, this is so timely for me, as my life is currently going through many transitions. Through it all, as always I continue to trust the peace I fell as I progress. It is nice to know others feel the same way sometimes.
PS; Some of my favorite bloggers on one comment board.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too love knowing that as God’s kids, we have traveling companions and can share in the richness of walking this life with Him. God bless you and give you His wisdom and peace and you continue to be made into His likeness. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jacquie, a great post. We all have times of transition where through prayer, scripture, listening, and patience we can discover our path to where we belong.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, they are perfect opportunities to grow in love, faith, and trust. Jeanne, thank you for the beautiful words of truth that you share on your blog, I always look forward to reading. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post and a great reminder on how to handle transitions. And yes, transitions often happen when we already have a lot going on. And that makes it hard to hear His still, small voice. It takes work to listen. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. It is for sure an act of divine intervention for us to get still in the midst of the swirl. I love that God makes a way where there is no way. Collene, thanks for stopping by ♥
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for your encouragement Jacquie! I needed to hear this today 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure. I have learned so much from not just my experience, but from the experiences of those around me. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Matthew ♥
LikeLike
Thank you for this article on transition I love your writing style ♥
LikeLike
My pleasure, thank you, Debby. 💕
LikeLike