October 8, 2024 Navigating in Flux
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Navigating In Flux
Even though you’re not much right now,
you’ll end up better than ever.
Job 8:7, Message
Author and journalist Bruce Feiler shared what I considered a frightening statistic:
…we go through a transition every 12-18 months during our adult life
and four to five momentous “life quakes” in our lifetime.
So that means we are heading into flux, in flux, or coming out of flux
almost all the time.” Yikes!*
Being in flux means being in a state of continuous change. Constantly experiencing endings and beginnings.
For those who prefer stability or predictability, continuous change is not a fun place. If an ending is of something painful or difficult, I was delighted to let go and move on. Yet, endings of those seasons or situations in life in which I flourished and loved, often left me unmoored. I had no idea what was next or who I was to become now. I did not like that feeling at all, often spending time and energy attempting to recreate or re-capture whatever had ended.
However, over time I learned that endings mean new beginnings. I’ve learned to embrace that unsettled feeling that comes with endings with a sense of adventure and an attitude of curiosity. I picture how my friend described her childhood vacations…
She, her siblings, and her parents packed and piled into their car changes of clothing, toiletries, and books or games to keep themselves entertained along the trip. Dad then drove to end of their street, stopped, and turned to face his family asking, “Well, where to this time?”
There was a time in my life that such a question and lack of plans would break me out in hives! It’s still not always easy for me to leave something that served as a positive, stabilizing force in my life, but I continue to grow in my ability to let go and embrace the new future with all its possibilities and potential. I can do so by remembering the words to the encouraging hymn by Brian H. Wren:
This is the day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that’s gone.
*****
Christ is alive and goes before us,
to show and share what love can do,
This is the day of new beginnings,
God is making all things new.
And by recognizing the prophetic truth of Bildah’s words to his friend Job, “You’re going to end up better than ever.”
Reflect: How do you typically respond to endings in your life, whether positive or negative? What might it look like to embrace these moments with curiosity and trust in new beginnings God has in store for you?
Pray: Lord, help me to trust You in the midst of change. When I face endings, whether they are painful or joyous, give me the strength to let go and the faith to embrace what You have prepared for me. Open my heart to the new beginnings You offer and guide me with Your love, trusting that You make all things new. Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria Ashby
Lay Leader