Discussion Questions 28 Jan 2023
“Navigating Transitions: Finding God in the In-Between”
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
I seem to come across a lot of new learning at seminars these days. Come to think of it, I guess that’s what the seminars are for! I guess what really strikes me are the insights these seminars give me beyond my immediate career. Last time I wrote about the ‘Matthew Effect’ a term to describe a phenomenon in education taken from Jesus’ Parable of the Talents. I recently came across another idea that put me in mind of my Christian walk through my teen years.
Growing up in a Christian home, going to a Christian school and attending church every weekend I had some beliefs and behaviours that were pretty well worn in. One of these beliefs was that belief is more important than actions. Put simply I had a very narrow view of verses in the Bible such us ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,’ – Romans 3:23-24. The idea that I am a sinner and nothing can change that – but I shouldn’t worry too much because God will save me anyway. Of course, that’s a very simplistic view, but nonetheless, one I held.
God doesn’t want us to live monotonous days that blur into one but rather distinct days marked by experiencing, remembering or anticipating something new.
We have safely arrived in the USA! The journey wasn’t too bad (thanks to your prayers, the boys were very good during the 14.5-hr flight!) but we’re struggling with jet lag.
The first night, Micah and Joshua didn’t sleep at all and then slept during the day … the second night (tonight) Micah is sleeping pretty well but Joshua is crawling around. Roy and I are also wide awake even though we’re pretty tired!
It’s made me think about how difficult it is to do night shifts (thank you medical professionals, security officers, construction workers, etc.) and also how hard it is for our bodies to adjust to change.
What about the mind? God decried the injustice people practiced in His name:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:19-21
When we finally get to know the “Light of the World” there may be a time of spiritual jet lag where we are trying to adjust to the seismic shift in worldview. It takes time and concerted effort to try to see things the way God sees them after a lifetime of seeing things the way our own culture, upbringing, education and preferences have inclined us.
But God encourages us:
“I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:15)
He who recovered the sight to the blind will guide us to a new dawn. He who sleeps not will keep us company in the darkness until our eyes adjust to His glory.
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
Joshua is going through a growth spurt. That means he’s up every 2-3 hours at night to feed. It’s exhausting but extraordinary watching him develop – yesterday, he started to wave good-bye; today, he can sit up from lying down. He’s also almost fully crawling on his hands and knees instead of combat-crawling, and almost able to pull himself up into a standing position. Perhaps after gnawing though a few more boxes of teething rusks, he will also grow a second tooth.
Growth takes time. It takes practice. It takes effort. It takes understanding that change happens in increments and cycles and at its own pace.
When it comes to spiritual growth, character development, or relationship intimacy, we can become impatient and discouraged when change seems impossible. But don’t give up – the growing pains will lead to a growth spurt:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:7-10, NIV).
Keep sowing, watering, weeding, and fertilising the heart, life, and relationships – when autumn comes, the harvest will be beautiful.
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
We have been cleaning the house.
The pantry has finally been organised; we discovered 8 different packets of rice paper stashed in various shelves. Our two office areas are now clutter-free. Even Micah’s toys are tucked out of sight in boxes and bags.
We felt it was about time – not only because it is the end of the year, but because we are anticipating guests next year.
The New Year is also a great time to do some soul-cleansing. What habits need to be thrown out? What thoughts recycled? What memories need to be stored away? Which priorities need to be assessed? Are there any relationships that need to be restored or renewed?
Remember that every day we have a reason for our transformation:
“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great if Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:21-24
May God’s compassion and faithfulness inspire us to trust in Him daily in 2016.
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
