How to Follow Jesus Through the Transition

As I was reading one of Seth Godin’s blogs, this sentence stood out to me: “All of us struggle when our identity doesn’t match the reality of the world around us.” For many of us as church leaders, our occupation or ‘calling’ defines much of who we are.

“I’m a pastor.”

“I’m a worship leader.”

You get it. But over the past few years, many of us have found our roles changing rapidly. Many of us are not doing the same job that we were doing just a short while ago. Some of us have different titles. But many of us have just had to transition to the new reality that the job we used to have no longer exists (at least in the same way). Priorities have shifted. And the realities of ministering post-pandemic have caused us all to have to pivot in some way.

For some of us, that was rather easy.  We’re always up to a new challenge.  We pivot quickly and without (seemingly) much effort.  In fact, we embrace the change and see these changes as exciting and as an opportunity to minister in a new way.

For others of us, change is hard.  And honestly, this past season has been incredibly difficult. To some, absolutely devastating.

I talk with pastors and church staff every week that are still trying to figure out who they are and what their next step is. It’s understandable.  After all, many times it’s hard to separate what we do from who we are.

But Seth Godin brings a different perspective of how to deal with everything of the past year: “In the face of that confusion, it’s tempting to abandon possibility and to walk away from an opportunity simply because it doesn’t resonate with the person we are in this moment. But only when we do something new do we often begin to become someone new.” ... That maybe easier said than done.

Jesus’ direct call to us is much more simple (but just as hard).  He asks us to ‘follow’ Him. That’s hard to do when we’re trying to call the shots and determine the path. It’s also hard to do when we’re lamenting what’s happened over the past season of ministry.

So maybe you’ve turned the corner well. Congrats. Lean into what God is doing and enjoy the ride. But maybe you’re on the struggle bus. Looking for greener grass.  Or a way out.

All Jesus asks us to do is follow Him.  He will certainly direct our paths.  In the good times, and in the bad. And certainly in uncertain times.

I love the New Living Translation of Ephesians 3:20: "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."

This scripture is just as true today ... so make that your prayer today.

And if there’s any way I can help you during this time, please feel free to reach out. My email is Todd.Rhoades@ChemistryStaffing.com