DIG
IT
C
hange and transition are
inevitable in life. But that doesn’t
mean it is comfortable.
When I left school and then uni I knew
things are about to change but didn’t
know what my career path would look
like a few years down the track. When
I became engaged I knew I wanted to
get married but wasn’t entirely sure
what it would be like a month after
the ceremony. When my wife became
pregnant for the first time, I knew that
in nine months there would be a baby
but the full extent of that impact was
also not quite clear.
I am comfortable with the now
because I know it, but the not yet,
well, that can be fairly scary. At
each transition stage I was filled with
joy, excitement, fear, and anxiety sometimes all at once!
Whenever I’m going through a
period of change I’m reminded of the
beginning of Acts; I find it puts things
into perspective. For the disciples and
followers of Jesus I imagine this would
have been a frightening time. Jesus
had been resurrected and then he tells
them he will be leaving them, again. I
can’t imagine the disciples would have
been too thrilled by the news.
Global Interaction’s VIC/TAS Young Adult Consultant,
Jon Coombs, puts his feet in the sandals of Jesus’
disciples and imagines what it’s like to be grateful
to God during uncomfortable times of transition.
IF YOU’RE ON THIS
PATH RIGHT NOW MAY
YOU SHAKE OFF THE
DISCOMFORT AND
EMBRACE THE TIME NOW,
KNOWING IT IS WHERE
GOD WANTS YOU TO BE.
But as Jesus left, he promised the
disciples that they would receive
the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses
in the places where they live, the
wider community, and to the ends of
the known world (Acts 1:8). A huge,
exciting, daunting, humbling call on
their lives! Jesus left and the disciples
waited. And waited. For about ten days
they were living in the uncomfortable
‘now’ not knowing what was to come.
Those sensing a strong inclination to
be personally involved in cross-cultural
mission spend oodles of time in transit,
and not all in comfortable airport
lounges. Waiting to hit the ground
and begin building relationships with
people who don’t know Jesus can be
years away from the initial sense of call.
Sometimes decades. Even when people
have made the step of contacting me
or our Global Interaction team, it’s still
often 18-24 months til I’m waving them
off at the airport.
But this waiting and preparing period
is so vital, and something to be
recognised as part of the journey.
Trusting God in this uncomfortable
transitional time enables us to have
greater trust in Him over the long haul.
It can be a gift of time to grow deeper
in our knowledge of God and of the
people we are passionate about sharing
our faith with. It also helps build our own
capacities and understanding about the
complex issues of mission life.
If you’re on this path right now may you
shake off the discomfort and embrace
the time now, knowing it is where God
wants you to be. But at the same time
look forward with anticipation for what
God is preparing for you and the leastreached.
The disciples received the Holy Spirit
and fulfilled that promise of being
witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea and
Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
That promise is still active for us today.
In whatever our circumstances we can
continue to be a witness for Jesus. I’m
more than comfortable with that!
resonate · issue 26 · page 7