One of the best tidbits of wisdom I ever received from a mentor was this: “learn to recognize periods of transition in you life…and then hold on.” This is so true. As Heather and I made our way south on I-29 after leaving North Dakota with Andrew only weeks ago, there were several times we simply looked at each other, as if to say, “what in the world are we doing?” I think we even said this out loud a few times. My response? “We are going to have to learn to laugh a lot in the months and years ahead of us.” I thought to myself, “Just hold on, the next few months are going to get a bit crazy.”
In just under eight months, we’ve doubled the size of our family, adding two children under the age of two by way of adoption. As if the first transition wasn’t enough, amidst preparations for our second adoption I was also in search of where the Lord might be leading me (us) for my first call to ordained ministry. We had sleepless nights. Tears were shed, especially as doors began to open in other parts of the country. The distinct opportunity to move became a reality and we had some gut-wrenching decisions to make. In the end, a door was opened to remain in Tulsa and transition into a new, emerging and evolving position that will be much better articulated in hind-sight than it ever will be going forward. It involves ministry to youth, college-age, and young adults in an age where the church universal struggles to articulate and flesh-out what this looks like, but this is another post altogether. What isn’t disputed is the amount of frequent, intense transition facing 12-30 year olds as they assimilate into adulthood.
I’m learning to pray like never before; to fall in love all over again with the One who gives me life. I’m holding on. I know there are transitions that bring with them unique intensities, but I also know that if I am being transformed into the image of Christ, then I had better hold on forever.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Meredith Besancon // May 16, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I love this: I’m learning to pray like never before; to fall in love all over again with the One who gives me life. I’m holding on. I know there are transitions that bring with them unique intensities, but I also know that if I am being transformed into the image of Christ, then I had better hold on forever.
Well said, my friend. I might even quote you on my facebook page (with your permission, of course.)
2 Michael // May 16, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Quote away my friend.
3 Chuck // May 17, 2007 at 2:21 pm
That’s a great post Michael.
Through your modesty…please know that there are scores of people thrilled that y’all are remaining in Tulsa. Us included…of course. Congratulations again.
Two children in 8 months…instant “twins” in about 3-6 months…hold on indeed.
4 Josh // May 17, 2007 at 3:59 pm
You articulate well those periods of transition. I am amused that I get shocked and scared when I face a new season of intense transition, because somehow I thought after the last one I was through with them until I realize they have only just begun and seem to come about more rapidly than any season I can remember. Somehow the goal is to keep changing. Change or die is what Donald Miller says in “Through Painted Deserts.” I am reading it now, and it is great.
5 Larre // May 19, 2007 at 3:43 am
Paul speaks highly of the “holding on” concept and what we should be “holding on” to:
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
“[E]xamine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“[S]tand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
“Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” 1 Timothy 6:12
It’s my general observation that most people view transitions as a bad thing (in the sense of being disruptive and undesired) and that they employ the “hold on” mentality as a method for surviving the transition. It seems that Paul speaks of a different motivation beyond merely getting through the transition. Not only that, it’s probably fair to suggest that Paul had a track record of seeking out transitions (as opposed to our being transition-adverse) and remaining content regardless of how his circumstances changed (see Philippians 4:11-13). How did he do that? How can his contentment be totally unrelated to his circumstances?
6 Michael // May 21, 2007 at 11:22 pm
A great comment and some mighty fine observations concerning Paul. If ever we might look to someone who truly found his identity in Christ and not in human opinion, he is a one-of-a-kind example. And yet…this was the same man who stood before the Corinthians “with fear and trembling.” I think his life motto must have been: “Never let ‘em see you sweat!”
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