Transition

As winter is nearing its conclusion, many of us are excited to cast aside those feelings of dreariness and boredom that the remaining months of the season often bring. We eagerly anticipate the beginning of spring and all the potential that comes with a season that is personified by the birthing of flowers, the singing of birds, and the reemergence of pleasurable weather.

 

This is a time of transition, a time in which nature is preparing for the next phase of its annual cycle. Just as the seasons change and the planets rotate around the sun, people experience transition in their own lives constantly. The definition of transition is: a process or period in which something undergoes a change and passes from one state, stage, form, or activity to another. Isn’t this the very ebb and flow of our lives? People are always in a state or transition whether it’s physically, mentally, or spiritually. We are continually moving from one phase to another.

 

Even with this continuing occurrence, many individuals, like a fly on wax paper, cling to the idea of not having to change. Incidentally, that situation never works out for the fly. Likewise, we cannot avoid transition in our existence. In fact, I would argue that we should embrace the next phase of life that God has so graciously allowed us to experience. Transitions usually carry a great deal of fear and anxiety with them, which is understandable but not insurmountable.

 

Jesus was constantly transitioning from place to place, prayer to prayer, and challenge to challenge. Although those elements of fear existed, Christ embraced what was occurring at the present moment in his life. Having this awareness of being present oriented and living in the “now” allowed Jesus to give 100% to whatever endeavor that was undertaken.

 

In that model is from where we can derive strength. Being in a present frame of mind enables us to extract the most from our potential, as well as the ability to apply it to achieve the maximum for ourselves daily. Understanding that yesterday is gone and tomorrow will possess its own set of circumstances and situations permits us to have a different approach and perspective regarding transitions. The Psalms say “This is the day the Lord has made, I shall rejoice in it.” Place these words in a place where you can remind yourself daily to be in the present and give Christ the opportunity to guide you today.

 

 

Delta McGee,

Faith Coach

 

Are You Alone?

As Thanksgiving leftovers from my family are still being made into lunches even though it’s the second week of December, and the Christmas preparations to spend time with loved ones are being arranged, there is clearly an aura of gladness and good tidings in the air.

Although my mind is immersed in the belief that “Tis the season to be jolly,” probably due to the fact that Deck the Halls gets played on the radio seventeen times an hour, I often take the time to consider those that are feeling alone. Those individuals that are without the warmth of a family to spend the holidays with, or those whose loved one is no longer present to spend that tradition with them after so many wonderful years.

While I ponder this thought I often hear people say, “Jesus is always with you” and I must admit that this statement often felt as though is was a generic prescription to a specific ailment. How does that statement solve the fact that during the season where some people are roasting chestnuts on an open fire with family and friends while other people are going to an empty apartment to watch an episode of Lost. If “Jesus is always with you” then how can someone be feeling such a void in their life?

Perhaps individuals that are experiencing this loneliness just need to know what the saying actually means. Quite simply, when people throw this cliché out in their wealth of conventional and well timed wisdom, what they are saying is, “to have hope.” Hope is, in essence the very foundation of what the Christmas season is about. When God decided to send His son into the world it was a symbol of hope: hope for victory, redemption, and salvation for all people. Hope that individuals can make it out of any situation that has them feeling alone. Hope in knowing that circumstances that are unfavorable are temporary and with Christ the loneliness will be overcome.

 Hope is not some quick-fix remedy that fights the fruits of feeling alone, but it is the battle- tested and proven solution that attacks the roots of loneliness. So, for those that are feeling alone this holiday season if you have hope in your heart and someone tells you that “Jesus is always with you” thank them because now you know He actually is.

 

 

Delta McGee,

Faith Coach

Are You Alone?

As Thanksgiving leftovers from my family are still being made into lunches even though it’s the second week of December, and the Christmas preparations to spend time with loved ones are being arranged, there is clearly an aura of gladness and good tidings in the air.

Although my mind is immersed in the belief that “Tis the season to be jolly,” probably due to the fact that Deck the Halls gets played on the radio seventeen times an hour, I often take the time to consider those that are feeling alone. Those individuals that are without the warmth of a family to spend the holidays with, or those whose loved one is no longer present to spend that tradition with them after so many wonderful years.

While I ponder this thought I often hear people say, “Jesus is always with you” and I must admit that this statement often felt as though is was a generic prescription to a specific ailment. How does that statement solve the fact that during the season where some people are roasting chestnuts on an open fire with family and friends while other people are going to an empty apartment to watch an episode of Lost. If “Jesus is always with you” then how can someone be feeling such a void in their life?

Perhaps individuals that are experiencing this loneliness just need to know what the saying actually means. Quite simply, when people throw this cliché out in their wealth of conventional and well timed wisdom, what they are saying is, “to have hope.” Hope is, in essence the very foundation of what the Christmas season is about. When God decided to send His son into the world it was a symbol of hope: hope for victory, redemption, and salvation for all people. Hope that individuals can make it out of any situation that has them feeling alone. Hope in knowing that circumstances that are unfavorable are temporary and with Christ the loneliness will be overcome.

 Hope is not some quick-fix remedy that fights the fruits of feeling alone, but it is the battle- tested and proven solution that attacks the roots of loneliness. So, for those that are feeling alone this holiday season if you have hope in your heart and someone tells you that “Jesus is always with you” thank them because now you know He actually is.

 

Anything is Possible

Recently in an early summer’s evening I was watching the Boston Celtics defeat the Los Angeles Lakers to capture the NBA championship for the first time in twenty years. I was relieved to watch Kevin Garnett, one of my all time favorite players, finally get rid of the monkey of not winning a title that had been on his back for so many years.

While I was mesmerized by the sheer jubilation that Kevin was feeling he said “anything is possible!” These three words invaded my mind with such force I thought I was going rocket into the atmosphere. Those words lingered in my mind for months until election night when those words transformed from just a cliché into an unprecedented reality when the United States convincingly elected Barack Hussein Obama as the first African-American president.

I watched the elated look of millions of people from multiple races, genders, creeds, orientations, and socio-economic classes celebrating together in unity. Perhaps some were celebrating the breaking of another glass ceiling. Maybe some were celebrating the hope in a future in which health care and education can be affordable to all individuals. For many it was a celebration of the possibilities that their loved ones overseas may finally be coming home soon. The list goes on and on but there is certainly one constant: “anything is possible!”

When history was made last night I was inspired, not by a man and his tremendous accomplishment, but the resolve in humanity and our undying ability to grow. Finally, when I hear the words “anything is possible” I think of Christ in heaven watching all of this from above with a huge smile on his face as he laughs to himself saying “I told you so”.

Delta McGee

Can You Get Excited for God?

It’s that time of year again. That time when the summer heat waves are preparing to give way to the autumn breezes. It’s that time when many Christians, both men and women, are dusting off that old jersey, pulling out those foam fingers that say #1, and predicting to everyone that this is the year their team will win the big game.

The excitement is like electricity in the air before an enormous storm. You can hear it in peoples’ voices as well as see it in their eyes. For many the start of football season is as exciting as Christmas day or graduation: it even surpasses many birthdays. As I am getting amped for the first kickoff, I stopped and asked myself one question: Is it possible to get excited about my relationship with God?

Don’t get me wrong, my favorite team has provided me with many wonderful moments, but Jesus has out done all of those moments put together. I am excited when the maize and blue score a touchdown. I am, however, just thrilled to the core when I think about all the love that Christ has freely given me. I just want to pump my fist in victory knowing that “I am more than a conqueror” when facing any trial or tribulation which surfaces in life.

Let’s face it, our favorite teams have schedules so they know when and where they will take on their respected opponents, yet the life of the believer does not have that amenity. I cheer watching highlights of the Wolverines on Sportscenter, but I want to celebrate personal testimonies of prosperity in every aspect of life that the Lord has granted me, which is truly a highlight reel.

I want to jump up and down when I see the players on the field celebrating in the end zone following a successful drive, imagining what it would be like to be a part of the team. Then I become energized when I realize I have that same acceptance and camaraderie with the relationships between myself and all the magnificent people with whom God has blessed my life. So, to answer the question that I proposed earlier; is it possible to get excited about my relationship with God? The answer is a resounding yes!

Finally, to all you football fans, this fall have fun rooting for your team but also get excited and cheer for all the amazing plays that Jesus has made in your life because of the relationship that you have with Him.

Delta McGee

Faith Coach