One morning while I was running and praying, on the long, straight road that runs west out of Fabens, I was reflecting on how many changes were going on in my life at that very moment. Then I realized that life is really an extended series of changes or transitions. I started reflecting on the lives of biblical characters and how they responded (or failed to respond) to changes and transitions in their lives. Suddenly, a "formula" came to my mind, a formula that I have no doubt reflects the truth of God as found in His word. Here it is:
Transition - Transformation = Death Transition + Transformation = Abundant Life!
As we go through transitions in our lives, God intends to use them to transform us by His indwelling Holy Spirit. That transformation yields the abundant life Jesus told us He came to bring in John 10:10. As I reflected on Biblical characters that demonstrate this "formula" two Pharaohs came to mind. The first was the Pharaoh during the life time of Joseph. You may remember that Pharaoh had a dream, which disturbed him and which no one could interpret. Joseph was brought out of prison to interpret the dream, which he did. He told the Pharaoh that his dream meant there would be seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. The Pharaoh faced a tremendous transition. How wold he respond? He allowed the news to transform him, put Joseph in charge of a grain storage program and the result was that not only Egypt, but surrounding nations including the family of Israel experienced LIFE during the seven years of famine.
Then there came a second Pharaoh who didn't remember what Joseph had done. He forced the Israelites to become his slaves. God heard the cries of the Israelites in their bondage and sent Moses to demand that the Pharaoh release the Israelites. The Pharaoh faced a time of transition. He would be losing hundreds of thousands of workers, but it was God who called Him to this change, this transition. He said --- "No!" which meant that he was not transformed. In due time not only he but also his entire nation faced death instead of abundant life. As you read through the Bible you see the reality of transition bringing the opportunity for tranformation repeated over and over again. What about our lives? As we face transitions how do we respond? The formula is true whether we want it to be or not. That means when we face transitions, we must call out to God to fill and empower us with the Holy Spirit so He may transform us, then we will experience abundant life in and through the transition. That doesn't mean we'll like it. It doesn't mean everything will always be easy. It DOES mean that whatever happens in our lives, God can use it -- and will use it if we give Him control -- to give us abundant, Christ-centered life!
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