We are in a time of transition. Times of transition bring about lament, uncertainty, and disorientation. Transition also brings a new sense of purpose, a rekindled relationship with God, and new creativity once we find rest in the hope we have. Our church is entering a time of transition but everything I am writing is a good reminder for the transitions of life. You might feel burdened by the transition of age, a job transition, health, or the changes in our culture that have left many people feeling disoriented. The Bible, as a whole, addresses the stark reality of transition and the very real human emotions that come with it.
The story of Israel can be summed up like this, “Will the people trust God in their transition?” He calls them out of slavery into a promised land. Before they receive the blessing, they enter into the wilderness to learn dependency on God. When they enter the promise land, they forget their dependency on God, become comfortable with what they have, and choose their own way of doing things. This runs directly against the warnings found in Deuteronomy 6 where Moses warns that when they live in a land with big cities and lots of food, “be careful that you do not forget the Lord” (6:12).
In our society, Christians have felt a certain level of comfort for a long time and sometimes assuming that we are in the promised land. Peter reminds the church in his first letter that we are “exiles” and “foreigners” in this world (1 Peter 1:1, 2:11). The language Peter uses here connects us to the time when Israel was removed from their land because they forgot the warnings of Deuteronomy 6. They were carried off as exiles to be foreigners in another land. We are reminded that the imagery of God returning to reclaim and renew his good creation is one of a “New Jerusalem” coming down (Revelation 21:2). We have not arrived yet, so we live in a constant state of transition. When we become too comfortable, where we are we no longer depend on God, we fight to keep our place in the world and hold on to our comforts. The narrative presented in the Garden, when Adam and Eve reach for the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, is that they were reaching for the right to determine what was good and what was evil. They were reaching for their right to be God and be in control.
Times of transition always forces us to answer the question, “Will we depend on God, or will we depend on ourselves?” This is the question asked in the Garden, in the wilderness, in the promise land, and in exile. This is the question Jesus answers clearly for us when he relinquishes his control and says, “not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). The example of Jesus contrasts the regular response of Israel throughout their history. They complain in the wilderness and long to be slaves because they knew where their food would come from (Exodus 16:3), continually reject God as their true King (1 Samuel 8:7), and had a pattern of doing whatever they wanted as they saw fit (Judges 21:25 – a major theme of the book). Jesus continually relinquishes his control and stays present to God’s leading. Throughout John’s Gospel account, Jesus repeats that he only does what the Father tells him (5:19, 8:28, and 14:31).
The life of Jesus is the example of what faithfully following God looks like. He is the New Adam, the one who is truly human, the firstborn, the Adam who did it right (1 Cor 15:45). A walk with Christ is one of being comfortable with the darkness of the unknown and being able to pray, “Lord, give me enough faith to take the next step.”
What areas of your life are difficult to relinquish control and trust that God is going to lead you through it?
What images of God do you find helpful during times of transition? Father? Mother? All-knowing God? King of Kings? What other biblical images do you relate to?
Pray for our church, the leadership, and God’s guidance through this transition.