Patiently Pole-vaulting Through Transitions
This week I was reminded that my wife and my dad share a bit of interesting athletic history: both took part in the sport of pole vaulting on their high school track team. Now, I’ve never pole vaulted myself, never even seen it in person. But from the outside it appears that pole vaulting is all about the transition: one very big, and insane, transition, from running as hard as you can, to landing sprawled on a big comfy mat. I like the second half of that equation, but to get there it takes a gigantic leap of faith, a transition, one that seems more likely to go wrong than right.
Life is all about transitions. In fact, some of the sweetest times in life are the transitions. This is timely for all of us because many families are headed into a time of transition in the month of May: school is winding down, college students might be returning home for the summer, and some are wrapping up school for good, preparing to launch into the next season of life. As a church we’re also moving into a transition as we prepare to refurbish the Fellowship Hall this summer in preparation for fall ministry.
How to transition well
When it comes to transitions, one key to navigating them well is the word patience. Many times we want to rush through the transition to get to the next thing, but the transition can be just as important as what comes before or after. That’s why our memory verse this month is Isaiah 30:18, “Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” God is gracious, he waits, he shows mercy, and he blesses those that wait on him. I know I’m often tempted to rush through the transition, but as you enter into the month of May, focus on memorizing this verse (this song will help) and ask God to give you the patience to wait on him in the midst of the transitions.
Also pray for our church over the coming months as we transition to summer. Pray the Fellowship Hall renovation goes well so that we are better equipped to serve and love the people of Southwest Louisville!