There are transitions we have to experience like it or not. The fact that we don’t like the transition that we are going through does not mean it is bad for us. We can see an example in the life of Moses. He went through some drastic transitions: from a slave to a prince, and from a prince to a shepherd. It is easy to understand the advantages that exist in making the transition from slave to a prince, but it is extremely difficult to find any advantage in the transition from prince to shepherd. It is difficult for us but not for God, who knows how the process end even before it begins.

The transition from a slave to a prince allowed  Moses to acquire knowledge of how things were handled in the court of Pharaoh. But the transition from a prince to a shepherd allowed Moses to know how to live in the desert, through which in future he would have to lead an entire nation.

We might see the first transition as positive and the latter as negative, but from the point of view of God both transitions were necessary to accomplish his purpose, not only in the life of Moses, but in the life of the entire nation of Israel. Could God do what he wanted without having Moses going to the desert? He sure could! But if you carefully read the story you will see that the greatest miracles did not occur in Pharaoh’s palace, but in the desert.

Are you going through a difficult transition in your life? Stand firm, trusting that if God is guiding your life he will fulfill his purpose in you, and blessings will be upon you and all those who witness the process.

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. – Psalms 42:11

Jacob was chosen by God before he was born, but his  intentions to force the fulfillment of the promise had the only result of him having to flee to preserve his life. This is where God has to intervene to control the damage done by a child who could not wait God’s time (Genesis 25-32).

The process was not easy for Jacob. He got what he wanted through deception. But just as he did, he was deceived, and had to work in excess to get what he wanted. This would teach him the importance of knowing how to wait, and the importance of working hard for what he wanted. But more important, he had to stop relying on his own capacity, and surrender to God’s mercy when he went to meet the brother from whom he had stolen his birthright.

The process of damage control is necessary to mold us in the form that God needs, so he can use us and fulfill His purpose in us.

On our walk there will be times where we will do like Jacob, or perhaps like David or Peter, but if we put our trust in God we can be sure that He will implement his damage control plan to bring us back to His perfect will.

When we recognize that we have strayed from God’s purpose we are filled with doubts and tend to believe that we cannot recover, but it is at this very moment when you need to reach the same conclusion as Paul:

[God] He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Do you feel that you cannot go on? Rejoice, because now that you have no strength God will manifest His power in your life. Let God carry out His process in you.

Naomi had her doors closed. She became a widow (Ruth 1:3), and lost her children (1:5), basically becoming basically helpless.

When our doors close it is easy to fall prey to frustration.

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” – Ruth 1:20-21

But when God is present in our lives, though we might not understand, the doors that have closed are intended to bring a greater blessing. For Naomi, the doors that were closed in Moab were intended to make her return to his homeland with his daughter in law Ruth, opening a door that would allow Ruth, though Moabite, to eventually become part of the genealogy of Jesus.

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham… Boaz begot Obed by Ruth… And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. -Matthew 1:1-16

I do not know what doors have closed in your life, but I know that if you put your trust in Jesus other doors will open to bring a greater blessing.

Put your hope in God, and your door will open.

 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. – Matthew 6:9-13

Each one of the requests in this model prayer is made in plural.

• We direct our prayer to the father of all of us
• We ask for forgiveness for the sins of all of us
• We ask for protection from temptation for all of us
• We ask for deliverance from evil for all of us

This prayer shows that once we receive salvation we must put aside our natural selfish thoughts and move to a way of life that is based on a unit consisting of all the members of the Church of Jesus Christ. The model for communication with God does not contain a single instance where a person turns to God as an individual. It is clear that God wants us to take care of each other (the plural) as if we were one.

From this moment on let us learn not only to pray, but to live our lives recognizing the importance of the church as a unit composed of all believers.

that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. – John 17:21

It doesn’t  make sense to see Job losing everything. Not until in the midst of his grief he was able to experience God as he never had before (Job 42:5).

Nor does it make sense for some young to be thrown into a fiery furnace because of their faith. Not until the king that order the process saw one like the Son of God walking among them in the fire, and all of them  and then saw the young emerge unharmed from the fire (Daniel 3:14-28).

It makes no sense to see the Son of God dying on the cross. Not until three days later he rose from the death, bringing hope of eternal life to mankind (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Nor does it make sense the number of people that has died because of their faith. It could look like their lives ended without a purpose.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth… And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. – Hebrews 11:13-16

It makes no sense when we lose a loved one, or when we get sick, or when financial troubles come, or when we are in conflict.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord – Isaiah 55:8

Our ability to understand the situation does not change the reality of what God is doing in those who love Him. What looks like an uncertain future in our eyes, for God is sealed a victory - a done deal.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

No matter how confused I am, I can keep going receiving the peace that I get as a result of having my eyes on Jesus, recognizing that no matter what happens He already conquered victory, and therefore I shall conquer in Him. Now things do not make sense, but at some point I’ll look back and there will be no words of concern but only words of thanks to my God.

Worrying solves nothing, but it usually makes things worse. For example, if we worry about giving a good life to our family this may lead us to be anxious about our work, leading us to spend more time at work than we should, and resulting in children who grow up without the presence of their parents, with the side effects that it entails.

We know that worrying is not good, but it seems inevitable. So what’s the solution? The solution is to learn to live each day at a time making sure to always make time to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

Though this might seem like an unrelated example, the reality is that often we live as Marta; worries keep us from enjoying the most important thing: a relationship with our God.

God designed us and knows how we feel, and better yet, He knows how to make us live fully.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on … “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:25-33

If we sit longer at the feet of Jesus, we would need less time at the feet of psychiatrists and psychologists.  If we sit longer at Jesus’ feet we would be less dependent on medications to control our anxiety.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34

Each day brings its own situations. Worrying about tomorrow only complicates today. Knowing this, I invite you to exchange the time you spend worrying with time at the feet of Jesus: He knows how to make you get the best part, and once you get it no worries will take it away from you.

It’s good to be an informed buyer. The idea is to have all the details needed to choose the best alternative. Going through this process becomes more important for large investments.

If it’s important to make decisions about the things we buy, how much more important is to decide about our eternal destiny?

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:2-3

There are only two alternatives available for eternity: eternal damnation or eternal life. Unfortunately, doing nothing means choosing eternal damnation, as

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death – Romans 6:23a

Damnation is also the option that we choose when we put our mind on things of the earth.

But when we decide to put our minds on things above (God) then we choose the best option: eternal life.

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23b

Sin keeps us in a state of death, but when we receive Christ and let Him take control then the life that was previously hidden is manifested.

Make the most important decision of your life:  follow Christ and receive eternal life.

How do we care for new things?

You do not care for a new car in the same way you do for an old car, but you take care of it with zeal. You don’t leave it open, you avoid pot holes in the road, you keep it shine and clean, and so on. How much more shall we care for our spiritual life.

 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling – Philippians 2:12

A continuous process

Taking care of any investment is a continuous process. In order to keep a new car in good condition frequent maintenance is required.

Salvation is received when we accept Jesus, but in order to stay on the path to salvation we need a continuous relationship with our Lord.

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ – Philippians 1:6

We can be confident that even with all the difficult situations we live, God will continue to work in us until we reach our heavenly home.

The goal

The purpose of a car is to transport us from one place to another. The purpose of the new life we receive in Christ is to transport us from a limited and imperfect life to eternity.

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”. – John 3:5

Take care of your greatest investment: your new life in Christ.

Something similar happens to our lives. God wanted to reconcile humanity to himself, so He began the required process. God decided to select all of humanity, and give his Son as the required payment. Since no one meets the specifications we all must go through a process until our lives achieve the design defined by God.

To ensure that a product meets its specifications it must be submitted to various tests. In the case of a car it has to go through tests like the following:

• Speed
• Safety
• Endurance
• Performance
• Handling

Similarly, it is also necessary that we go through testing.

• Safety
  • situations are needed to teach us control (brake tests)
  • we need to go through losses (crash tests) to learn that our protection is in God
  • we must be seen as people in which others can trust (safety belt)
  • we shall be support (airbags) to those in need
• Endurance
  • only those who endure (distance) to the end shall be saved
  • we shall keep our faith when things go wrong (hot temperatures), and when we don’t feel God’s presence (cold temperatures)
  • difficult environments (off-road tests) are required so we can comfort people that go through similar tests
• Handling
  • We have to learn to walk the narrow path (driving in curves) – the only one that leads to eternal life
  • we need to make other feel loved (comfort tests)
  • we have to be the light to help others walk on the right path (visibility)

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

Joseph is an example of the testing process. Before the process Joseph was despised by his brothers. During the process he was sold into slavery, slandered and unjustly imprisoned. But the outcome of the process was Joseph as second in command in Egypt, used by God to save many. Joseph is the example of when tests cause insignificant things to become important.

Another example is Jesus. Before the process he was the Son of God. During the process he was despised, mocked, and died on the cross. But the outcome is the Son of God resurrected, glorified, and offering eternal life to mankind. Jesus is the example of when tests turn something good into something much better.

The process is not easy, but in God’s hands our victory is assured.

the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ  – 1 Peter 1:7

He has put a new song in my mouth — Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD. - Psalm 40:3

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness – Lamentations 3:23

Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh - Ezekiel 11:19

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind - Isaiah 65:17

When something is no longer useful it should be replaced with something new. A car can be repaired, but it will eventually need to be replaced with a new one. We were dead and worthy of condemnation. We needed something new.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins … But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) - Ephesians 2:1-5

To make a new building the old one needs to be demolished. In our case, we must be born again through a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3

The new birth enables us to change our foundation from temporary and material to spiritual and eternal.

The situations in our lives destroy us little by little, but God in His mercy does not want us to stay that way; He wants to do something new.

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. – Jeremiah 18:4

Do not settle for the old, receive and enjoy a new life in Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17