Oceans in the Desert

By Kathi Pelton

Transitions are hard. If you’ve ever been a woman giving birth or been with a woman while she was giving birth you will know that the time of transition can be extremely intense. During the birth of my first baby, I fought against the pain and pressure that came during transition. It was overwhelming and I did not know how I’d get through it and as I fought against the pressure, I only accomplished making it take longer and experiencing greater pain. During the birth of my second baby, as transition began to come upon me, the Lord reminded me of how I fought against the pain and pressure the first time. He whispered to me, “Focus on me and let me carry you through this time.” I very intentionally turned my focus from the unknown and the pain in order to get as still as I could and allow God to carry me across the threshold of birthing my baby. It was an amazing difference— so much shorter and far less painful!

There is a familiar verse in the Bible that talks about this,

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10a

There is an supernatural and spiritual peace that occurs when God calls his bride to be still and trust in him. Suddenly, she makes room for him to move through her posture of stillness and trust. Most people have a propensity to take action (out of a “reaction”) when life feels out of our control. But there is a better way.

Transitions can feel out of control because they can be intense as we step into the unknown. Familiarity is absent which can be disorienting and even frightening. But, if we begin to take the lead, out of reaction, rather than trust in him (out of a spiritual response) things get messy. Reactions will begin to build an spiritual altar of fear and self-protection rather than creating a memorial of abiding trust. Crossover times that are marked and anointed with a trust that causes us to be still, gives him room to take the lead and make clear the way ahead. Peace marks the way and we are carried over.

Many years ago our family was in one of the most significant transitions of our lives and I found my soul reacting to the unfamiliar and unexpected like an out of control train. It was like the time of transition while birthing my first child— I was fighting it and making the entire process so much more painful and terrifying. During this time, the Lord took me into a vision that gave me deeper understanding of how to walk through my transition or over the thresholds of life.

In the vision I was dressed as a bride and was standing next to my Bridegroom, Jesus. We were approached the threshold of crossing into our life as husband and wife. As I approached the threshold I was shocked to hear demons waiting there shouting lies about my future, about what was ahead, about doom and disappointments. There was great warfare against my soul and against my hope and trust. Just then Jesus stopped me and said,

“My bride, allow me to carry you over the thresholds of transition because it is in stillness and abiding trust in me that will give you peace, rest and joy. You will be carried in the arms that provide intimacy, protection and agape love. I am all that you need and I have all that you need for what is ahead.”

His words helped my fearful heart to get still so that he could pick me up and carry me over the threshold. As he carried me over, I saw that there was a great battle that I was being carried above while I rested in the arms of Jesus. Had I rushed ahead or gone forward in my own wisdom or strength I would have faced an army of resistance that the enemy had set against me. I would have walked out onto a battlefield that God wanted to protect me from. Because I allowed him to carry me, I was lifted over it and the enemy was put under the feet of Jesus.

If you are in a time of transition, trust him and let him carry you over. Turn your fearful reaction into a faith filled response and yield to his loving arms.

Here are a few encouraging verses to help you in your pause, rest and stillness:

• The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

• My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:1-2

• For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

May you let His strength become your strength as you enter into quietness and trust. Let LOVE carry you.

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