Everything In Its Time: Ecclesiastes 3:11

 Human beings, by our very sin nature, have difficulty with transitions.  The fear and shame that accompany our fallen nature urges us to seek security.  Familiarity and predictability are often a priority.  And yet research shows that there is real value in moving out of our comfort zone: Doing so empowers us as we are forced to exercise creativity and flexibility.  It is often required if we are to experience real joy.

 And here we are, looking at September, the month that most loudly signals change and transition.  While there is excitement associated with a new school year, that excitement is often mixed with stress and/or anxiety.  I believe our ability to make transitions in a confident and healthy manner can be improved if we consider some of the components involved.

 

One of the most significant factors in making a transition is our expectations.  We often set ourselves up for failure as we view the transition as larger and our abilities as smaller.  And while it is wise to be realistic, it is also wise to plant our feet on the solid ground of Scripture.  We are called to trust in the Lord and depend upon Him to make our paths straight; we are called to put on the armor of God that will protect us from evil; and we are called to walk in faith, with the conviction that the Lord is working His good purposes in us and through us as we walk through our days.  And while we long to succeed, it is often our failures that provide the Lord with the the opportunity to work for our good in the way we most need Him to.

 

Another factor that I often struggle with is the need for patience.  We can be so eager to prove ourselves, become comfortable, and establish a new normal that we don’t give ourselves an opportunity to learn, make mistakes, and grow.  Transitions, even those that we are fully invested in and enthused about, take time.  And when a transition is not as appealing to us, an extra measure of patience is in order: It may take time to allow the Lord to give us His perspective and for us to see what He might have for us in our new situations and circumstances.

 

Earlier this summer, I had a wonderful time viewing a young bald eagle family in northern Iowa, courtesy of an eagle cam.  As the two chicks grew into fledglings, I was surprised that the eagle personality that I have in my head—strong, bold, fearless—was not apparent in the two eaglets who sat comfortably in their nest and waited for their parents to deliver fresh food.  Eventually, Eaglet #1 started to venture toward the end of the nest, and then a couple of weeks later, onto a branch that extended from the nest.  Soon after, Eaglet #2 did the same.  But even that step did not accelerate the transition toward flight and independence.  The fledglings remained content to spend their days perched on branches.  Eventually, according to the course of development that the Lord has set for this transition in eagle development, the eaglets began to use their wings for their intended purpose.  I think we can learn something from eagles.

 

Transitions can be major or minor, exciting or anxiety-producing, energizing or exhausting; and sometimes they can be an unexpected combination of these characteristics.  But as we walk through times of transition, securely held in the crook of His staff, we can manage expectations and bear the Spirit fruit of patience, which will enable us to grow more and more into who He has created us to be and to fulfill His purposes for us.