By: Pastor Brandon Hudson
If you live long enough you’ll face the reality that life is constantly changing. Even when things seem constant and stable, there's likely a new season on the horizon. My natural disposition pushes against this — I love routine and structure. I think I’ve grown to love routine even more over the years; however, change keeps coming.
I’m currently in the midst of some major life transitions: my mother’s recent death and my oldest child starting college. I’m often, and at the most random times, reminded of my mother's absence. I long to see her again, to hug her, to share with her what's happening in my life. At the same time, I’m missing my child. While she is only thirty minutes away, our day-to-day routine revolves around four instead of five. These transitions are difficult.
While these changes are new to me, change itself is not. I’m sure we can all relate. Change comes in many forms — relational (death, relocation, fading friendships, new friendships), location (moving to a new neighborhood, city, state, or even country), employment, and hobbies.
A change in my location at 19 resulted in significant changes in relationships and my future employment. I expected my move from Seattle to the Midwest to be a short season for college where I studied to be a high school History teacher. To my surprise I met my amazing wife and stayed in the Midwest for another ten years. We bought our first and second home there and had all three of our children. Our first child’s birth marked an extension of change when God led me to pursue a career in Ministry instead of education. So much change and transition from a change in location!
I almost can’t believe it has been 18 years of full-time Ministry. They have been anything but routine. After ten years in the Midwest, we moved to the Seattle area and I took on a lead pastor role where I have walked through seasons of heavy growth, decline, a merger, leadership and staff changes. I’ve seen people come and go; and even come back again.
While my story might be unique, change is something we all experience. Scripture is full of people who experienced seasons of great transition. I'm reminded of Abram in Genesis 12.
“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you;” - Ge 12:1, NASB.
Talk about a massive transition. Asked to leave your country, your land, your place in this world — your home. Leave your father, mother, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, your clan — your people. No idea where your final destination will be. The only thing Abram knew for sure was that God would be with him and bless him; and that he in return would be a blessing to all the nations of the world.
Can we ask for more than that? Do we need more than that? Is there anything better? To know God is with you, present, involved. To know God is blessing you, seeking your best interest. To know God will use you to be a blessing. No matter the place, the work, the activities, no matter the current group of people around.
Jesus's disciples felt the same sting of transition when the man they left everything to follow told them he would be leaving.
“But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, grief has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” - Jn 16:5–7.
Imagine leaving everything to follow Jesus only to be told he will be leaving. It makes sense their hearts would be grieved. While this transition would be difficult for them, Jesus said it would be to their advantage. The Holy Spirit, the personal presence of God, would be with them instead. Similar to the promise to Abram, no matter what changes, God promises to always be there, to be present, to walk with us, the one constant in a sea of change. As the author of Hebrews states,
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” - Heb 13:8.
I can’t say I've gotten to the point where I enjoy or look forward to change. I still and probably always will push against it. But I also expected it to come and wonder how God might use it. I’m reminded that in every past transition and change, God was there, present and faithful. Similar to Abram and the disciples, God has been the constant — the very presence of God is always with me. He has blessed me in each and every situation and given me opportunities to be a blessing to others. I need this reminder as I walk through the current season of transition. You?
