“the process of changing from one state or condition to another.”
“a passage in a piece of writing that smoothly connects two sections to each other.”
Something about that last definition struck me. If we think about our lives as one big story, which they are, with God our author, we can see that God uses transitions in our lives as the passages that smoothly connect two sections to each other. They often don’t feel very “smooth.” But as I look back on the transitions I’ve gone through up to this point, they have been exactly that— the bridge that takes me from one stage of life to the next, from one level of depth in knowing God to another.
We all go through transitions. They are a natural, expected part of life — and in fact, they are healthy. Transitions are the means by which God moves us from one season to the next. In transition we grow, we often realize our weaknesses and are forced to depend on God — which strengthens our relationship with Him. God has used my seasons of transitions, particularly the difficult ones, to significantly define and strengthen my relationship with Him.
So, as I’ve been reflecting on my personal transitions, I’ve been asking myself “what does faithfulness look like in the midst of change?” The story of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi came to my mind. I encourage you to read this short book of the Old Testament because it offers much encouragement to any transition we face. Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, faces a lot of change and loss. She endures the death of both sons, her husband, and moving to a foreign land because of famine in her homeland. Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi in the midst of transitioning together is astonishing. She sticks with her mother-in-law, even though it’s not circumstantially in her best interest. As the story progresses, we see Naomi’s once bitter heart towards God begin to soften. Ruth helps Naomi recover from the difficult transitions of her past and serves as a representation of God’s loyalty to her during change and challenge.
The story of Ruth reminds me that transitions are better when they are shared. Change is an inevitable part of our futures, regardless of how we choose to respond. What would it look like if we modeled our transitions after the dynamic Ruth and Naomi maintained? Both women were in different transitions and different life stages, but they embraced one another and stuck together. They were on the same team and members of the same family, although they weren’t even blood-related. It is my prayer that as women come together from across the country — from different life stages, backgrounds, and perspectives—that we can find unity in being members of God’s family. What would it be like if we transitioned together rather than alone? What if we could be physical representations of God’s faithfulness in the challenges by coming alongside a friend to listen, support, and pray through a transition with her? It’s in facing change together that we can point one another to the only source constant enough to see us through change. And that source of constant strength and unwavering faithfulness is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If we believe God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow as His word says, we can face any transition without fear—knowing the One who never changes is enough to see us through each and every change.
Rachel Lohman
Western Field Director
Inspirational