Difficult transitions into new seasons can spark a hard. Taking a giant step from the comfortable, security of the known into the discomfort and shaky unknown pours fear, sorrow, and insecurity into our soul.
Waiting in the family van to retrieve a son from a late-running ball practice, the reality of an upcoming change sunk in deep. Thankful for the darkness and storm smearing the windshield, obscuring the sorrow that rained down my face, a deep lamenting began. “Lord, this was not the plan. We were going to grow old together, this large, intimate circle of friends, sharing each others joys and hardships from raising our packs of kids straight through to basking in pleasure as future grandchildren ran around the church yard at summer potlucks.”
But “irreconcilable differences” caused a rift in the fellowship within this Body and searches for a new church home led us in different directions. The sorrow of the conflict and now the shattering outcome weighed heavy.
God speaks to us through many means: His Word, a friend, nature, and sometimes a song. In the dark, with rain pounding, a sacred moment unfolded. As the music on the CD transitioned, each chord struck and words pierced a wounded heart because God was speaking.
In that moment, I knew, with certainty, that God saw me, He understood my sadness and doubts, and spoke comfort and truth that cascaded into my heart, washing away the fear, sorrow, and insecurity. Through the months of shaky transition, the song replayed often, each time leaving the sweet breath of God on my face as He sent reassurance of His presence, love and leading.
“I know there are times your dreams turn to dust.
You wonder as you cry, why it has to hurt so much.
Give Me all your sadness, someday you will know the reason why.
With a child-like heart, simply put your hope in Me.
Take My hand and walk where I lead, keep your eyes on Me alone.
Don’t you say ‘why were the old days better’
Just because you’re scared of the unknown.
Take my hand and walk.
Don’t live in the past, cause yesterday’s gone.
Wishing memories would last, you’re afraid to carry on.
You don’t know what’s comin’,
But you know the One who holds tomorrow.
I will be your guide, take you through the night,
If you keep your eyes on Me.
Faith is to be sure of what we hope for and the evidence of things unseen.
Just like a child holding daddy’s hand, don’t let go of Mine.
You know you can’t stand on your own.
Take My hand and walk where I lead, keep your eyes on Me alone.
Don’t you say ‘why were the old days better’
Just because you’re scared of the unknown.
Take my hand and walk.”
Take My Hand – by The Kry (see link below)
Are you facing or walking through a period of change? A lightening bolt event or a storm you watched brew on the horizon for some time, now overtaking your life, has shattered your dreams. Have your hopes turned to dust? He’s got you. Give Him all your sadness and uncertainty. With childlike trust, take His hand and let Him lead you. Keep your eyes on Him alone. He has prepared good things for you.
Like the saints in Hebrews 11, who “by faith”, through obedience, stepped into the unknown, believing the spoken promises of God – by faith, take His hand and allow Him to take you along the path He has prepared for you. This storm did not take Him by surprise. Every change in your life is part of His plan for you. And each time, He will lead you into new places to experience growth into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him that you never imagined possible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwwnIr5yZ7E
Photo by Dineslav Roydev on Unsplash
