Transitions!

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to welcome students and families from our county to a "Transition Conference" focusing on the transition from high school to work for individuals with developmental or learning disabilities. This can be a huge transition and families must be mindful of the resources available and the preparations needed for making the transition. Serving as a co-chair of our counties' DD Advisory Board I was given the privilege of welcoming and then introducing the first two speakers of the day. However, as I thought of my introductory remarks I also realized we all face many transitions in life.

As soon as we are born, life transitions begin. From that point on life is filled with transitions, some of which can be more challenging or of greater significance than others. Knowing transitions are a part of life, that they are coming, and hearing from others who have gone through them helps to prepare for those transitions. Also, having the opportunity to engage in conversation with others focusing on the same transitions provides encouragement for going through the processes.

Saul (later known as Paul) made a drastic transition in his life from being a persecutor of the church to being a proclaimer of its truths. ( Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-22 ) Though our coming to Christ may not have been as extreme a transition as that as Paul's, the significance of that transition is still as huge. Note the following three passages.

Peter noted the following regarding the Christians to whom he wrote.
"(9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT." ( 1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

Wow! What a special relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. One of the great things that marks our life in Christ is that we have made a transition FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. Living in the light of the truth of Christ we can now see life as we ought and know there is much more than meets the eye. In fact, we gain a perspective that transcends this life into an eternity with God.

Jesus declared. . .
"(24) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but HAS PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE." ( John 5:24 ESV)

John noted this transition when he wrote. . .
"(14) We know that we HAVE PASSED OUT OF DEATH INTO LIFE, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death." ( 1 John 3:14 ESV)

Neither Jesus nor John addressed this transition as something yet to come, but rather as having already taken place. Living life in Christ means we have already passed FROM DEATH TO LIFE. Physical death will merely be the door into our eternity with God. Because of our belief in Jesus and the manner in which we honor our relationship with one another in Christ, we are revealing what true life is all about. In Him we are presently able to live life abundantly and fully. ( John 10:10) May those around us begin to take note of the transition we have made to TRUE LIFE so that they may be brought over as well and thus prepared for the greatest transition FROM THIS REALM TO THE ETERNAL ONE!

Have a great day GLORYING IN THE LIFE IN CHRIST!
Carl

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