As you know, over the past three weeks we have been hearing a series of messages in worship entitled “Run the Race.” I have been using the metaphor of a Triathlon to talk about faith and our life of discipleship. We began the journey with our swim and dove into faith, we went through transition, and we have just talked about the longest leg of the journey, the bike.
This week, we again come to another transition. In a triathlon, this is a different transition than the first time. Like life, transitions in a triathlon are different.
Working toward this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about transition. It’s hard not to think about it quite frankly. Many people that we know are undergoing transition this week sending children to college for the very first time, some are welcoming them home again, and others are just ready for the summer to be over. I saw that in action this afternoon as I passed Geneva College and watched throngs of people checking in, rushing around, and having that look.
“That look” is different for all of us and that is certainly the case on the campus this morning. Some look excited, but inside they are balled with stress. Some look lost, and they really are. Some look as if they could burst into tears at any moment, and the boys just hope that mom will wait until she gets into the car, secretly hoping that no one sees them feel the same way.
But that look is probably similar to other transitions that are happening over the next weeks. Kindergarten, first bus ride, being the youngest again in a school, waking up earlier than ten in the morning are the transitions that are happening.
I was reading a little from the book of Proverbs this morning. The book of Proverbs is amazingly simple and complicated at the same time. It talks about its purpose in the very first words. Quite simply, proverbs is there for our “learning,” “wisdom,” and “instruction.” You can’t read that far without stopping and simply trying to digest the message that it has for you.
That was true when I read words that reminded me of all the children, youth, and young adults who are undergoing transition this week. Chapter three begins by simply saying, “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for the length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you (v.1).” And then they continue, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (vv. 5-6).”
Learning how to cope with life is just part of life, and it certainly is a part of our faith. We must go through hardship, testing, adversity, and sometimes trials in order to become stronger. Each time we go through transition, we learn how to cope with the next transition that will certainly come our way.
Take some time today, not only to pray for all those who are going through transition, but also those are learning to Trust in the Lord. Come to God today in prayer and seek to be more devoted in your own life. Say a simple prayer, trust in God, acknowledge him and see if he will not straighten the road that lies ahead.
Again, this week in worship we continue our sermon series with “Run the Race: T2.” We will also be blessed to witness to our faith in Baptism. Come and see how God can work in your life. I look forward to seeing you.
Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg
This week, we again come to another transition. In a triathlon, this is a different transition than the first time. Like life, transitions in a triathlon are different.
Working toward this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about transition. It’s hard not to think about it quite frankly. Many people that we know are undergoing transition this week sending children to college for the very first time, some are welcoming them home again, and others are just ready for the summer to be over. I saw that in action this afternoon as I passed Geneva College and watched throngs of people checking in, rushing around, and having that look.
“That look” is different for all of us and that is certainly the case on the campus this morning. Some look excited, but inside they are balled with stress. Some look lost, and they really are. Some look as if they could burst into tears at any moment, and the boys just hope that mom will wait until she gets into the car, secretly hoping that no one sees them feel the same way.
But that look is probably similar to other transitions that are happening over the next weeks. Kindergarten, first bus ride, being the youngest again in a school, waking up earlier than ten in the morning are the transitions that are happening.
I was reading a little from the book of Proverbs this morning. The book of Proverbs is amazingly simple and complicated at the same time. It talks about its purpose in the very first words. Quite simply, proverbs is there for our “learning,” “wisdom,” and “instruction.” You can’t read that far without stopping and simply trying to digest the message that it has for you.
That was true when I read words that reminded me of all the children, youth, and young adults who are undergoing transition this week. Chapter three begins by simply saying, “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for the length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you (v.1).” And then they continue, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (vv. 5-6).”
Learning how to cope with life is just part of life, and it certainly is a part of our faith. We must go through hardship, testing, adversity, and sometimes trials in order to become stronger. Each time we go through transition, we learn how to cope with the next transition that will certainly come our way.
Take some time today, not only to pray for all those who are going through transition, but also those are learning to Trust in the Lord. Come to God today in prayer and seek to be more devoted in your own life. Say a simple prayer, trust in God, acknowledge him and see if he will not straighten the road that lies ahead.
Again, this week in worship we continue our sermon series with “Run the Race: T2.” We will also be blessed to witness to our faith in Baptism. Come and see how God can work in your life. I look forward to seeing you.
Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg
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