Every Friday the Church I serve sends out an e-mail version newsletter that updates people on the happenings for the upcoming Sunday and beyond. The newsletter begins with a short reflection. I was blessed with the opportunity to provide the reflection this week and feel compelled to share with all of you. God's peace be upon you this day.
"My Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We all go
through transitions throughout our life. Some we choose, some are chosen for us.
Transitions provide us an opportunity to open ourselves up to the creative
energy of the Holy Spirit. Transitions often mean having to say goodbye to a way
of life we have known and hello to a way that is unchartered.
As a church family, these past months we have had to say thank you, goodbye and Godspeed to beloved ministers and leaders. We have had to let go of people so they might follow God's call upon their life, their personal transitions. We also have personal transitions happening; transitions in our health, relationships, family life, jobs, changing homes, even the basic transition of spring into summer and summer into fall.
In preparing my
children for a new school year, I notice how God builds these transitions. At
elementary school, I am able to walk my sons into their classroom. At middle
school, I drop my daughter at the front door, and now my oldest daughter has
informed me I should stop at the front porch of our home as she heads off to
high school. I can't even contemplate college! In these moments of releasing a
beloved into someone else's care, we have a choice to fear the transition or
have faith in this journey with God.
I opened my
daily devotional, "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young, this morning and this is what
it said,
"Entrust
your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer
with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in
your heart, you endanger that one...I detest idolatry, even in the form of
parental love. When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My
hand. As you entrust others in My care, I am free to shower blessings on them.
My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This
same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to
see what I will do."
We can let go of fear and place our trust in God. Transition provides opportunity for growth and transformation. Let us watch and see what God shall do."
