Five Ways to Transition Well
by Katie Harding on Monday, October 15, 2023
Throughout life, October has been a month when I have consistently seen God’s hand at work in the most amazing ways. It was October when my husband accepted a job in Reston, and we moved to Northern Virginia 43 years ago. It was October when I accepted Christ as my Savior as a 12-year-old and then surrendered full control to Him 40 years later. And it was October when I was healed of breast cancer by having a bilateral mastectomy at the age of 30. In reflecting on these anniversaries, I have come to understand October is not just a busy month but a significant month of transition for me — a time of “crossing over” from one way or position to another.
Whether we realize it or not, life is full of transitions — from place to place, activity to activity, or experience to experience. Yet, transitions don’t usually come without their challenges. Therefore, to help us better prepare for them, I studied how Joshua readied the children of Israel to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
Here are five ways from Joshua to help us learn how to transition well.
1. Get ready to go early; don’t leave everything until the last moment.
Joshua led the children of Israel to the edge of the Jordan River four days ahead of time so they could begin the preparations for crossing into the Promised Land. Procrastination is one of the greatest challenges we face as we often busy ourselves with the wrong things. Let us focus on what God has revealed, work towards that goal, and let go of those things that are not part of His plan.
2. Follow the Lord your God and move forward in faith.
The first time God planned to send the Israelites to the Promised Land, they surrendered to fear and trepidation instead of moving forward in faith. We often face many obstacles in our lives that can fill us with anxiety and intimidation. Let us trust in God’s power and ability to overcome and follow Him, and not speed up and run ahead, as He leads us to new paths of right living.
3. Purify yourself.
Joshua instructed the people to consecrate themselves as a way to get ready to receive God’s wonders. Since we live in a fallen world, dirt can easily make its way into our hearts and provide the perfect place for bitter seeds to take root and grow. Let us make it a daily practice to review the chambers of our heart and get rid of any dirt we find there by confessing our sins, asking forgiveness, and surrendering any hurt we are harboring.
4. Listen to what the Lord your God says.
Before the sons of Israel were to step into the Jordan River, they were instructed to gather and listen to the words of the Lord. We live in a time of multi-tasking, tweeting, instant messaging, cell phone city, and television day and night, anywhere, anytime. We are constantly surrounded by noise clamoring for our attention. Let us be intentional to practice the discipline of silence and listen, instead, for voice of the Lord.
5. Remember God is giving us a land of rest.
The Promised Land God calls us to is not a land of turmoil, but a land of peace, giving us rest on all sides from our enemies. Yet, it’s easy to be caught up in the enemies of life—busyness, stress, frustrations, hurriedness—and be totally overwhelmed. But that is not the life God is calling us to. Let us claim His land of rest and not worry about anything but pray about everything because God is near (Phil 4:5-6).
As we prepare for another transition from summer to winter through this season of fall, let us put into practice the directives Joshua gave to God’s people. I hope you will join me in preparing to “cross over.”