If you've been keeping up with this series, so far you've grieved the losses of your last season, you've received vision for the next one, you've been careful about the company you keep, you're ready to be obedient in a quick transition or a slow transition. So what's next?
One of the most important things you can do in a season of transition is keep some things consistent. When a lot of other things are changing around you like a location, a job position, a relationship, friendships, or what God is calling you to next, there are a few things you can keep consistent to help you make your transition with ease.
The Power of Morning & Nighttime Routines
I will never be the girl who tells you you have to wake up at 5 am to read your Bible. Instead, I'll be the girl who champions habits that work for your life, your personality, and your schedule.
In a season of transition it can be tempting to change everything at once. Maybe you've heard of someone else's success at waking up early, going for a run and making a super healthy breakfast before sitting down to read God's Word so you are tempted to think when you start your new job it's the perfect time to start.
Instead of overwhelming yourself with too much change all at once, stick to the morning/nighttime routines that you love. Keep some sense of consistency in your life while you transition by keeping routines. Jesus was one of the busiest people, but He still had routines:
"He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom" (Luke 4:16 NIV).
Prayer
When in a season of transition, the change itself can be a huge distraction. It's easy to lose sight of what God is doing in our midst when we have a lot ahead of us or a lot behind us. The best way to comfortably transition as much as possible is to consistently and continually pray.
"I particularly urge you to pray" (Hebrews 13:9 NIV).
We are encouraged to pray throughout scripture and your prayers truly make a difference! Continue a practice of prayer throughout your transition so that you stay attentive to what God is doing and you sense His nearness to you throughout your transition.
Pray prayers of thanksgiving thanking God for the last season and for what is to come in the new one.
Stay in Community
One of the most difficult parts of transitions can be the uncertain, shifting ground of friendships and community. I've been the new girl a few times and I can tell you with certainty it's not a fun spot to be in.
In seasons of transition, we have to constantly discern what God is doing in and through our community. Some people will accompany into your next season, and others will not.
It's easy to get stuck in the first post of this series, the grieving of past friendships. You miss the comfort and the ease of past friendships as you move into a new season of learning how to be around new people. Definitely grieve those past relationships, but don't get stuck and forget to try for new friendships as well.
Ask God for the people who you need in your new season and actively seek out new friends and community. Even in Bible times people were tempted to isolate, but we are warned not to:
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing" (Hebrews 10:24 NIV).