Transitions week 1 manuscript

There are pivotal times in life when we recognize that we are leaving one season and entering a new season.

Examples of these times can include:

Graduating from High School

Going to college

Getting married

Having children

Each of these moments provide transitional stages that when entered create a new reality that will never be as it was before.

There are also transitional moments in history and culture.

When Jesus came to the earth, we entered a “Kingdom” moment.

When Jesus rose from the dead and commissioned His followers to continue His work in spreading the gospel message to the world, we entered the “last days”.

In the 1500’s we entered the Reformation moment as Martin Luther initiated his 95 thesis. For the last 500 years, we have been living in the continuation of the Reformation’s influence.

I would suggest that today, we find ourselves once again transitioning culturally as a world.

I sense that this is the transition which will end in Christ’s second coming.

We are in-between.

We find ourselves, not where we used to be, but not yet where we will be.

This “in-between” space comes with unique opportunities as well as challenges.

We find that what once worked in church and the proclamation of the gospel seem to fall short.

Effective methods and models of yesterday no longer accomplish the desired results.

Has God changed? Not at all.

Does He initiate transitional seasons such as we are in today? Absolutely.

Most of us are not equipped to live in this in-between space.

As a result, we find ourselves beyond weary with a lack of direction and purpose.

Many long to return to previous days.

Their desire leads them to do everything within their ability to maintain or bring back the days gone bye, only to feel more weary and a lingering sense of discouragement and unsettledness.

After a prolonged time in the in-between, emotions become desperate, relationships become strained, and spiritual disconnection takes hold.

What was once a vibrant connection with God now grows dim with each day as we settle deeper into an uncertain reality that pulls on us relentlessly.

Some refer to this in-between space as “liminal.”

“In cultural and social studies, "liminal" is used to describe states or spaces that exist at the threshold of change, where the old structures and norms are disrupted, and new possibilities emerge.

It is often associated with transitional phases, rites of passage, and periods of ambiguity and transformation.

Today, the term "liminal" has found its way into broader discussions beyond anthropology and is used to describe a variety of in-between and transitional experiences in fields such as psychology, literature, art, and spirituality.

It has become a valuable concept for understanding and navigating periods of change, uncertainty, and personal transformation.”

Visual representation: Venn diagram

As you can see, there is the old followed by the new with an overlap.

Today, we are living in the overlap.

This overlap is a place of uncertainty and ambiguity, and it can generate a sense of disorientation.

Equally, the overlap provides opportunity for growth and a deeper encounter with Jesus.

The choice is ours.

In order to seize this liminal space for Christ we must:

Accept the challenges and uncertainties

Remain in unity

Partner and work together

Remain open to new possibilities and perspectives

Remember, God is with us

In between Egypt and the Promised Land

English Standard Version (Exodus 13:17-22)

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”

20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

God led them a different way . . .

Delivered but not to their destination.

The people of Israel were in-between to states.

The old was shaped by slavery and bondage. They were beaten into submission and cried out to the Father for deliverance.

In His great mercy, God once again comes to the aid of His people and freedom from the task master is achieved through mighty acts of a mighty God.

A shorter way was available, but God chose the longer path.

Why?

God saw the condition of a weary soul in the midst of transition.

It wasn’t a bad way, just different.

Different challenges our reasoning.

Why should we go the long way when the short way is an option.

Because God sees . . .

And because God sees, He leads us in the path that He understands to be best.

The land of the Philistines was near, but it wasn’t necessary.

At times, we attempt to make what is near necessary.

When we make the near necessary, we default to what makes sense.

What makes sense must be right, unless God sees otherwise.

A different way requires adaptability, resilience, and patience.

God saw that if the people were to travel through the land of the Philistines, they could change their minds.

The Father’s heart is to protect, but in our persistence, we can forgo His protection.

God led the people the long way.

Although they were “equipped for battle” they were not ready for battle.

The way of the wilderness was to get them ready for the battles needing fought in the Promised Land.

Exodus 14:3 “And Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, ‘They are wandering around in the land. The desert has closed in on them.’”

Wandering is a proper description associated with the in-between place.

The wilderness brings feelings of misdirection, disappointment, and at times, disillusionment.

“Closed in” is the desire of the enemy. He wants us to feel as if God has forsaken us and there is nowhere to turn.

If he can convince us that we are closed in and forgotten, then he can distract us from the promise of the Father.

But we recognize his tactics and understand that he is “a liar and the father of liars.” What he says is not true and is opposite of what God promises and provides.

Traveling by day and night . . .

God provides for both day and night.

His Presence goes before them and reveals to them the required path as they travel in-between

At times, God protects us from ourselves

The answer to some prayers needs to be “no.”

If God granted every wish and desire we expressed, we would find ourselves in the land of the Philistines; the place God desires to shield us from through His leading.

We must become people of Presence . . .

“The Lord went before them”

“A pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire”

I believe God is re-establishing His Presence as the centerpiece of His Church.

Presence must take priority over programs

Programs are important and necessary, but it is the Presence of God which leads us through the wilderness

Deliverance is the start, Presence is the continuation.

It isn’t to just get the house swept clean, but to become filled with Presence.

A clean but empty house is still empty.

The in-between space is a place for Presence.

God did not depart . . .

The people find themselves trapped in between Pharoah and the sea. They can’t go back and neither can they advance. They are simply trapped in the space between.

Do you feel trapped today?

The greatest risk of the space in-between is the loss of hope.

Exodus 14:10–15 “And Pharaoh approached, and the Israelites lifted their eyes, and there were the Egyptians traveling after them!

And they were very afraid, and the Israelites cried out to Yahweh. And they said to Moses, “Because there are no graves in Egypt? Is that why you have taken us to die in the desert? What is this you have done to us by bringing us out from Egypt! Isn’t this the word we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone so that we can serve Egypt!’ because serving Egypt is better for us than our dying in the desert.”

And Moses said to the people, “You must not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of Yahweh, which he will accomplish for you today, because the Egyptians whom you see today you will see never again. Yahweh will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

And Yahweh said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Speak to the Israelites so that they set out.”

Today is not the day the stand still.

In order to travel through the wilderness, we must embrace the journey.

God doesn’t depart, but we can depart.

Emotions must be surrendered to Christ.

Keep moving forward!

How about you? . . .

How are you handling the space in-between?

Where is your perspective? Egypt or the Promised Land?

Do you see this space as an obstacle or an opportunity?

How can you embrace the journey?

Prayer . . .