In the Wilderness // M-Note 8.15.26

It is a big day for Jessica and me. This morning, we are moving our youngest son, George, into his freshman dorm. We will get him set up, make sure he has what he needs, and then give him a hug as we leave him there. We have done this twice before, so that part we have some experience with. But when we return home, we will begin our first week in 25 years without a kid living in our house! Yes, I have officially hit empty nest status (at least for now).
 
People have been asking me if I am ready for it, how I feel, what we will do, or what we think it's going to be like. The truth is that I don’t know! I haven’t ever done this before. Of course we are happy, thrilled for George and all of our kids as they head out and begin to find their way in the world. That is the whole point of parenting, to raise kids that go off and do whatever God is calling them to do. But this is a significant transition for Jess and me. And like any time of transition, we don’t fully know what life will look like yet. We are leaving one thing behind, but we haven’t yet arrived at a new rhythm of life. So for at least a while, we will fumble our way through this transition season trying and testing what comes next.
 
That is the way transitions are for all of us. When life shifts, when you feel called to do something new, or when you step out to make a change, you rarely move directly from the old to the new. Usually, you enter an in-between time. You have left one thing behind, but you haven’t fully discovered the new thing you are moving towards. You are, Biblically speaking, in the wilderness! And the wilderness isn’t always an easy or comfortable place to be.
 
Scripture tells us that the wilderness is important for us during times of change.
The wilderness is disorienting. There is some grief leaving behind what is familiar. It is uncertain because you aren’t sure where exactly you are going or how long it will take. But the wilderness isn’t wasted time. God uses it as a place of experimentation and formation, of development and discovery. As hard as they can be, we need these seasons of transition to fully say goodbye to the old and get ready for something new.
 
Many of you are in transition right now as well. Maybe it is the ending of a relationship, a career shift, a new stage of parenting, or a decision to change something in your personal life. Just know that, sometimes, listening to God’s nudge to move forward into something new can feel disorienting and scary at first. Life can sometimes get harder before it gets better.

This weekend, we will talk about transitions and the lessons we can learn from Moses’ time in the wilderness. If you are in a season of transition like me, then you won’t want to miss this weekend. But we all know people who are there right now. Invite them. This will be a perfect opportunity to introduce them to the Gathering; the conversation we will have could encourage them in ways they desperately need.
 
So wherever you are right now, just remember, God is walking with you. Have a great weekend, hang in there, and I will see you Sunday.

Peace,


Matt
 
P.S. Wellness Groups are starting soon. If you are going through a particular transition in life or trying to make a change, don’t do it alone. Check out our list of Wellness Groups here, and walk this road with others on the same journey. From finances to parenting, navigating grief or feeling overwhelmed by life, there is likely a group for you.