Readings for today: John 14-17
Life is full of transitions. It is dynamic, not static, and never stays the same. Elections usher new people and new political parties into office. Innovations in technology cause some businesses to close and new ones to open. Social movements influence younger generations resulting in all kinds of change, some good and some not so good. People get older. Parents become grandparents. Children grow up and become parents themselves. It’s not easy to manage change. We often find ourselves resisting change. Many of us fear change. But the key to embracing change well is to embrace God in the midst of it.
In our readings for today, Jesus is preparing His disciples for a change. A major change. A massive change. Jesus is about to be taken from them. He will be taken into custody. He will be taken from them in death. He will be taken from them as He rises again and ascends into heaven. Jesus knows this change will be hard to accept. So He begins to prepare them. “I am going away to prepare a place for you.” Yes, Jesus is leaving them but He is not abandoning them. His departure is all part of God’s good plan for their lives. Jesus is actually going before them to prepare the way for them and prepare a place to rest at the end of their journey. And when He has finished His work, He will return and bring them to that place so they may rest with Him forever. Naturally, this news distressed the disciples. They didn’t want to be separated from their Lord. But Jesus calls them to faith. “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God, believe also in Me.” Trust Me. Trust what you have learned from Me. Trust what you have seen in Me. Trust that you know the way I am going because you have been walking that way with Me these last three years. You know I am not only showing you the way but I am the way and I am making a way and I will return to bring you along the way so you can be with Me. In the meantime, I will not leave you alone. I will send you the Holy Spirit. He will be your comforter and guide. He will not allow you get lost. He will not allow you to lose heart. He will not allow you to stumble and fall. He will keep you connected to Me as branches are connected to vine. He will glorify Me and remind you of Me so you will continue to have all you need to make your way in this world.
I don’t know about you but I find these words from Jesus so encouraging. Maybe it’s because I find myself in a season of transition. My children are now adults and are beginning to leave the nest and make their way in the world. The church I serve continues to grow and thrive which leads to all kinds of changes in terms of how I lead and love and serve. Several organizations I am part of are also facing transition. Transitions in leadership. Transitions in ministry. Transitions in organizational health and development. It’s exciting even as it is daunting and through it all, we have to keep looking to Jesus. We have to trust He knows the way. He is the way. And He has prepared the way. We have to trust the Holy Spirit to show us the way and guide us along the way and provide for us on the way. This is what it means to walk by faith and not by sight and the truly great news is that when we walk the way of Jesus we can be sure of where it all ends. In a place He has specifically prepared for us where we will find eternal rest for our souls.
Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays