Leading And Loving It Paraugs

Change is packaged in many different ways. We face change as we move from one season of life to the next or change leadership positions. Location changes come when we least expect them. Sometimes we transition whole organizations. Many times, we must face change or transition to see that God is in control. But we can get so caught up in the discomfort of change that we miss His blessing.

In 1 Kings Chapter 17 God tells Elijah to go to the wilderness where he’ll be taken care of by birds and can drink from the brook. Being obedient, he did what the Lord told him. He went to the ravine, birds brought him bread and meat in the morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.

Elijah was where God called him to be – smack dab in the middle of a strange transition in his life. There are times you’ll be exactly where God wants you to be, doing what God has called you to do, and you may be vulnerable. You might be lonely, anxious, or scared. Being in God’s will is the right place, but not always the most comfortable.

Elijah experienced this because the brook dried up. What?! The brook that was the source of Elijah’s life was bone-dry? Elijah must have been wondering, “God, what are You doing? You told me to come here and now this!”

Often, when our brooks dry up, we hear God most clearly. He wants our attention and surrender. He wants us to listen.

You can’t change your circumstances or the people around you; you can’t even change you. That’s the Holy Spirit’s job. Your job during your change and transition is to learn to trust the Promiser. Our natural tendency is to jump in and try to control the situation. If our churches aren’t growing, our staff is in turmoil, our building program is behind budget, we aren’t connecting to our new church or our aging parents need more of our time, we try to control those situations. What we are really called to do is trust our Promiser.

Before you get in the truck: Remember the Promiser. Just like He took care of Elijah, He will take care of you. Your circumstances might seem impossible, but your job in the midst of your change is to trust the Promiser.