Have you ever been driving and it feels like the person in front of you is going extremely slow? And all you want to do is speed up and get to your destination. Maybe you tap the steering wheel impatiently with your fingers or try glancing out your window to see what is holding up the other person. I’m glad we’re on the same page, because I do this a lot. And if you don’t, I would love to learn your ways of staying patient!
I feel like transitional times in life can feel similar to being stuck on the road wanting to accelerate the pace and get to the destination. Speed up the season and get onto the next, and seemingly better one. Because the last thing anyone wants is to be stuck in a transition. What is my next step? Where should I go from here? I have multiple options, which one do I say yes to? This situation is challenging, difficult, uncertain, and scary. It’s so easy to want to be in a season of comfortability and excitement. But in reality, often times, that is not where we are at.
I think there are a lot of ideas to take away from a season of transition. Being in one myself, I have learned how to appreciate the drive and enjoy the view, not speeding up too quickly to arrive at the intended destination. Rather, God may ask us to give up control and trust Him through the process. He has the bigger picture and knows what is best for us. Maybe, just maybe, He is calling us to a time of patience and active waiting while He shows us what is next.
From this perspective, there are four ideas I have learned to explore at this crossroad: dream, rest, lament, reflect.
It is an opportunity to dream!
There are endless possibilities when it comes to closing one chapter and opening another. It’s only fitting to dream of what’s to come and the opportunities God may present. As a senior in college, I am quickly realizing that this season is almost over. Yet, the options are limitless with what I can do next. It is an exciting time of envisioning what I see myself doing and where the Lord wants to use me in this next season post-college. I encourage you to take time to dream. Wherever you find yourself, take a moment and pray about the dreams on your heart and let God direct you.
It is an opportunity to rest:
In seasons of transition, it can feel like there is a lot of waiting. However, it is important to look at the waiting from a standpoint of activeness and restfulness. It is one thing to sit around, twiddle your thumbs, and watch the hands on the clock tick by—which can get quite boring. But that is not what we are called to do. Rather, waiting can be an opportunity to rest. Regroup and recharge so that we are prepared after our season of transition for what is next.
It is an opportunity to lament:
When transition happens, it can feel sad. What once was routine is now shifting. It’s okay to mourn the loss of what was, because it may have been sweet and wonderful. There may be a new normal. A slower pace. A new town. Old friends moving away. Transitioning to a new job. Whatever the new circumstances, it can be difficult to accept the change. Allow time to grieve, but don’t let that hinder the adventures ahead.
It is an opportunity to reflect:
Look back on where life took you. What did you learn? Where do you want to go? Learn from the mistakes. Evaluate where you are now and what is coming. Look forward to the new opportunities, because it will continue to strengthen your character and teach you new disciplines.
There truly are ways to celebrate times of transition. It can feel long, boring, or impractical at times, but it is actually a preparation for the exciting times to come, so revel in the journey!
Author | Laura Conaway
Leave a Reply