“INTENTIONAL TRANSITIONS… LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE”
2/6/2019 – Blog by Mike Calhoun
When this blog is posted Judy and I will be in Cuba speaking and ministering at 3 different pastor conferences as well as a one day conference. If you could take a moment to pray for us, we would appreciate it so much. We are willing and able to serve, but if we are not empowered by God, then the work is in vain.
My friend Mike Calhoun wrote this blog, and I share it with you and trust that it will encourage you on your path with God:
Transition is a natural part of the life cycle. Change from one life stage, position, sphere of influence or friendship to another begins at birth.
Life transitions may bring joy or pain but all contribute to the formation of the person we become. Some we control while others just naturally come into our lives uninvited and unannounced.
We must be prepared lest the uninvited transitions demand the greatest amount of our attention and devour our time. These types of transitions tend to drain us physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The more energy we put into “Intentional Transitions,” the more prepared we can be to handle those uninvited ones. We need to make choices as to how we will live our lives based on priorities and values which guide our “Intentional Transitions.”
Here are four concepts that will intentionally shape our lives, preparing us to live more meaningful and productive lives during those natural transitions.
- Spiritual Growth:
I love the example of the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:5-9. We discover him at the end of his life still desiring to grow in his faith. He had experienced both positive and negative transitions yet here we still see him living life intentionally. We need to build into our daily lives some intentional practices for spiritual growth.
- Friendships:
In 2 Peter 1:13 and 3:1 Peter speaks of stirring up his friends by reminding them of what is important. Living life intentionally includes accountability relationships. We need good friends who are godly and willing to “stir us up” about our faith walk.
- Personal Witnessing:
Romans 1:16 reminds us that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Founding Director of Word of Life, Jack Wyrtzen often said, “It is the responsibility of every generation to reach their generation with the Gospel of Christ.” We need to be intentionally sharing the good news of the Gospel in our sphere of influence.
- Personal Goals:
I am challenged by the spirit of Caleb in Joshua 14:11-12. In this passage he is in his eighties and explaining to Joshua his future plans for “Intentional Living.” He is ready to fight and still wants “that mountain!” We too need to have a dream which includes saying no to the world’s “treadmill existence” approach to life. We need to live intentional lives setting our own personal goals based upon our priorities and values.
What are some of the “Intentional Transitions” you have implemented into your life or have seen others practice?
Written by:
Mike Calhoun
Pastor of Ministry Training
The Summit Church
