Embracing the Seasons of Change
When Autumn Arrives Late
Fall is such a wonderful and beautiful time of year. The glorious transformation of leaves from green to gold leaves no doubt that Autumn has arrived.
However, In Florida, fall just sort of sneaks in on you- often later in October and sometimes not until November, rather than its official September date. On our farm, the leaves are all still green and staying in place on their branches, while the buttercups and plumbagoes burst into full bloom in my flowerbeds. It’s still rather hot in the middle of the day, however the mornings and evenings offer a cool relief to the warmer days. With a cool breeze blowing, my husband and I love to start our days sitting on the back porch sipping our hot coffee, talking about the day behind us and the day ahead.
I love Autumn and the change it brings to us Floridians, even if we do have to wait a little later in the year to receive it.
Wrestling With Change
Change. While I love the transition from summer to fall, I’ve discovered that I am not such a fan of change when it comes to life’s bigger transitions.
For over twenty-five years, my husband has served as pastor of our church. We have been so honored to get to be a part of God’s work for such a long time in one place! We have loved and been loved by a beautiful, caring church family, and we have loved them back. Deeply.
But, the time for change has come. Following God’s leading, my husband and I have completed our season at our first pastorate and are answering the call to shepherd a new flock. This decision has been made through many tears, prayers, and conversations.
Letting go after such a long time in one place has proved extraordinarily difficult for me. I have struggled and grieved over this decision. Part of me would have loved for us to have only this one flock, to stay rooted in this one place. Yet, God has a different plan. A better plan.
God’s Promise in Times of Transition
In Isaiah 43:18-19, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
I’ve come to realize something important: I am genuinely excited about this new ministry opportunity. However, when I dwell on the past and try to cling to the former things, I resist letting them go. But God commands us to forget the former things and do not dwell on the past.
If I keep looking back with longing in my heart, I will miss the ministry opportunities and privileges He has placed before me. If I keep clinging to and dwelling on what was, how will I see the path He is making in the wilderness or the streams He’s providing in the wasteland?
There is a time and a place for the grief, and I am sure it will continue to hit me at unexpected times. However, I am committed to looking forward to this new adventure! This new way the Lord has for us to walk.
Interestingly, when I look back and remember all the ways God has led us and provided for us, my faith is renewed and I find courage to move forward.
Blooming Where We’re Planted (Again)
Change can be good, especially when it comes from the Lord. God rarely leaves us planted in one place forever. Often He uproots us and plants us in new soil so we can bloom anew.
Reflection Questions
1. What “seasons” are you currently experiencing in your life? Are you in a time of stability, or are you sensing the winds of change beginning to blow?
2. When you think about changes in your past, can you identify moments where God was “doing a new thing”? How did those transitions shape who you are today?
3. What “former things” might God be calling you to release? Is there something from your past – a relationship, a role, a place, or even a dream – that you’re holding onto too tightly?
4. Where do you see God making “a way in the wilderness” in your current circumstances? What streams in the wasteland has He already provided that you might be overlooking?
5. How can you honor both the grief of letting go and the hope of moving forward? What practices might help you hold space for both emotions during times of transition?