Day 12: The Wilderness of Transition

Transitions are hard. I moved to Chicago the winter after college graduation. I lived alone and was starting my job as an ICU nurse, which was exhausting in every possible sense. In fact, I didn’t really want the job when I applied for it. I prayed they’d say, “You’re not what we’re looking for, but thanks.” Instead they said (verbatim), “You’re exactly what we’re looking for, when can you start?” In talking with God, I knew this was the place I was supposed to be, and I watched God provide for me as I prepared to move. Winter is not the season you want to move to Chicago. Words like: wilderness, loneliness, and “Chiberia” come to mind. That wilderness season taught me to tune my ears to God’s voice and to trust I was nestled in God’s mercy and will. I reminded myself of the ways He provided for me at every turn, and how near He really was, even when I questioned His presence. The transition slowly revealed itself as a transformation of my soul.  

Noah is on the cusp of a transition with his ears tuned to God’s voice, as he builds an ark, collects his family, and a zoo full of animals. In a generation when God was so grieved by mankind’s corruption He chose to destroy them, Noah was seen as righteous and blameless. God demonstrated his mercy to Noah with instruction and provision. And, Noah listened and “did all that God commanded him.” There is nothing quite like a transition as an opportunity to tune your ear to God’s voice and actually do what He says.

But there is also nothing like a transition to bring up questions. I, myself, have some questions about Noah’s endeavor. When Noah boarded the boat with his family, do you think they knew how long this was going to be?

Was Noah given a tranquilizer kit in case there was a major gorilla/lion brawl? Was God present and near, or did He feel distant? How did Noah answer his wife/children the 8,391st time they asked “So what exactly did God say we were doing?” Did Noah question God’s plans, starting over at 601 years old?

Despite the questions he might have had, Noah chose to believe, obey, and hope in the midst of a hopeless situation. He trusted God’s words, timing, and provision. Nestled in the will and mercy of God, he and his family were protected from everything God was doing outside the ark. And when it was over, Noah’s first move was sacrifice and praise.

Where are you in the process of transition — preparing, in the middle, or recalibrating? Does preparation look like tuning your ears to hear God’s voice and obeying His commands? Are you listening for His answers to your questions in the midst of transition? Does God feel near or distant? And once you’ve made it to the other side, will you turn your eyes, mind, and heart to sacrifice and praise?

Being protected in the middle of God’s will and mercy doesn’t make transitions easier, but it does make them worth it. And if we let them, transitions can lead to some of the greatest moments of transformation in our faith.


PRAY:
God, in your infinite kindness, please tune my ears to your voice today. You are merciful and faithful in your promises. Extend to me the olive branch of peace and hope that I need to see today. In my questions, please show me more of who you are & what you have for me in this season. Make me sensitive to the things of you & bend my heart to obey your commands. I praise you, for I am yours. Amen.