Transitions

We can strongly relate to this description of going through a period of transition. In many respects, It seems to be a very accurate description of the journey we have been on recent years. Its from a book called 'Stuck', written by Terry Walling and based on the leadership development research of Dr. J. Robert Clinton of Fuller Theological Seminary.

 "Kingdom influence is the by-product of men and women who allow God to do a deeper work in their lives."  

"Transitions are characterized by a prolonged period of restlessness, self-doubt, lack of motivation, job stagnation, diminished confidence, lack of direction, distance from God, isolation, relational conflict and tension, lack of effectiveness, and struggle to stay focused and motivated."  "Transitions are more about character development than job description.  In a transition, God turns a searchlight onto the heart." 

Transitions often bring clarity of self-definition (who I am), role (my contribution) and new paradigms (presuppositions and worldview).

"God uses transitions to better align people's lives to his purposes." 

"Every phase of one's development has purpose.  Failing to process the challenges and implications of each phase can mean moving to the next phase with unfinished business." 

Remember the children's song, Deep and Wide?  "The width of one's influence with Jesus is in direct proportion of the depth of one's intimacy with God.  Transitions take a life deep, so the result of a life and its influence can go wide."

Pain à Intimacy à Power à Influence

The entry stage of a transition is often characterized by emotions of restlessness, confusion, self-doubt, and isolation as well as relational trauma and a consistent lack of energy." 

The evaluation stage may include rehearsing past struggles, confronting issues of wounding, consolidating lessons, deepening convictions and challenging life assumptions. 

The alignment stage is surrendering to God's agenda.  It brings one to be more pliable, teachable, open-minded and openhearted to change.  

In the direction stage destiny experiences begin to occur as God reveals new direction.  The end of transition brings one to a crossroad of faith, a challenge to step out in obedience.  

"Breakthrough, and the end of a transition, often comes at unexpected moments."  Destiny moments are special experiences or events that reveal insight into where God is leading you. There may be a series of preliminary insights and then an 'aha' moment where you know you have heard from God.  God may use destiny moments to endorse a commitment or decision, affirm a paradigm shift or affirm a new course of direction or opportunity.  (51)  God's plan begins to unfold. 

Destiny moments build faith to meet the challenge of a new step.  "In the end, every transition also brings on a challenge to one's ability to trust God." 

We are still waiting patiently for breakthrough!

Restless Pilgrims

Its been a bit of a whirlwind of a few months. Those of you who know us well will know that we gave birth to a baby girl, Kora Joy a few months ago! Its been been an amazing and bewildering time adjusting to being full time parents, we are loving being a family! In other news, Mark left his position with the Boaz Trust last week. He doesn't have another job to step into at the moment, but we believe that God has been preparing us for this for some time - whilst a very rewarding job with a truly gospel centred organisation, we have been sensing Gods preparation for a release from this position for almost a year. So we have taken a leap of faith! At the moment that means taking a temporary position for a year and taking some time out to discern where God might be leading.

We continue to feel a senses of restlessness, a dissatisfaction with the status quo. It does feel like God has been and is continuing to prepare us for a major shift in our ministry focus over the last few years. So we have taken an intentional step to take some time out to really discern what this might look. Although these feelings of restlesness can be deeply frustrating, we have come to realise that there is such a thing as a holy restlesness, an uneasiness if you like with just accepting how things seem to be. It can also redeeming though. It takes you to a place of non-conformity and non-complacency, keeps you on edge... it helps you search for something deeper and more true. God has already revealed a lot to us over the past few years of this journey.There are no magic answers, just as we step out in faith each time the Lord reveals a little more to us!

To be honest, we're not completely sure where God is leading. We have some ideas but nothing concrete at the moment. As St. Augustine once said ' Our heart is restless until it rests in you Lord.' The idea is to be quite serious over the next few months about doing some things that will help draw us closer to God and continue to discern his will and really discover why God might be trying so hard to get our attention. Please continue to pray for us as the Lord leads us on this journey. it feels like an exciting time for our little family right now!