Transitions & Frustrations

A few weeks ago, my daughter, Staci, had a dream come true opportunity to meet up with her daughter, Alexia, in the UK after Alexia’s missions’ trip was over. The next morning, they attended Hillsong's Sunday services and then took the bullet train to Paris.

Staci met up with a friend, Irina, in the UK who became their guide throughout London and Paris. Since they had never taken Paris’ trains, they were soon feeling the frustrations with missed trains, running from platform to platform and feeling out of their comfort zone.

They decided to forego the train and hired a cab. The driver didn't speak English and he didn’t accept credit cards for payment. That’s when Staci asked the hotel’s concierge to interpret for them.

The driver agreed to take them to an ATM. While waiting for the cash, the driver drove off WITH their bags. Staci took off running like she was the heroine in a Mission Impossible movie. After running 100 yards, Staci realized that the driver wasn't trying to get away. He was turning around to avoid traffic.

I could visualize it all as I heard the story – the frustrations and transitions that led to a hilarious story told by Staci on their weekly YouTube broadcast.

Misunderstanding because of the language barrier and the fear of loss quickly brought on the victory! Maybe that scenario was a little visual of what it must have been like for Jesus after He rose from the dead.

In the 40 days from His resurrection to His ascension, Jesus was helping His disciples to transition from those frightened, frustrated disciples to power-packed world changers and history makers.

They had been hand-picked for their assignments. I sense we have been hand-picked influencers and “Rock-Solid” disciples, too! Maybe we’ve had a language barrier like my girls did in their navigating quests. BUT GOD, breaks down barriers and opens doors that can’t be closed.

Perhaps the Lord is teaching us again about what it means to entrust Him with all things and not just a few. My prayer is that the lessons and pearls of wisdom gleaned during OUR transitions and frustrations will cause us to be brave and bold leaders, too!

In the Bible, “40” represents preparation and transition. Remember the 40 days when Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the wilderness for His preparation and transition into the start of His earthly ministry.

I sense God is preparing you and me for transitions – to take us from preparation school to stepping out in boldness and determination to love, serve and be His effective witnesses.

As we move closer to the time of Jesus’ ascension, my prayer is that as the Lord empowered His disciples with “power from on High,” that He will give us the empowerment to become MORE than conquerors!