“How do they do it?! The locals, I mean.”
I carefully descended the concrete steps into “The Underground”—the subterranean labyrinth for what they call “The Tube.” I saw the rush of weekday travelers before me, and I felt the crush behind me—all of them knowing exactly where they were going. “Don’t trip,” I said to myself. “Don’t stumble now. And try not to look like a tourist.”
I managed my parcels, kept my purse close to my body, and stayed to the right. I dove with gloved fingers into pockets, searching for my Oyster card. I found it, just in time. Tap. The turnstile moved, and I was through it.
“Now, where to go from HERE?” Eastbound, westbound—the wall maps looked like giant bowls of rainbow spaghetti. Swallowing the panic of being overwhelmed and confused, I finally sorted it out and chose a gate. Standing on the platform, I caught myself wondering, “Where in the world AM I?”
The rumbling train arrived and squealed to a halt. The doors opened … and suddenly, though I wasn’t sure of where to go, I knew EXACTLY where I WAS. Like seeing the ubiquitous black cabs, red phone booths, and double-decker buses up on the street above me, just to hear three little words “MIND THE GAP” identified unmistakably where I was. “This is London.” As clear as the “X” on the map, it says “YOU ARE HERE”.
MIND THE GAP. Words of caution. They reminded me of three important things in that moment:
- Be AWARE of where I am right NOW;
- Be CONSCIOUS that I’m in a state of TRANSITION, between where I WAS and where I AM GOING; and
- Be MINDFUL that, while I am stepping forward in this transition, there are intrinsic dangers to avoid.
Good counsel, those three words.
FIRSTLY, you cannot know where you’re GOING until you first know where you ARE. Whether you’re in a train station, shopping mall, or state park, a map and a compass are helpful navigational tools, but they are useless to you. UNTIL … you can ascertain ONE thing: WHERE you ARE.
That said, are YOU in a season of TRANSITION in YOUR life? Join the club. Try not to think about what you lost, what you had, or who left you. Likewise, don’t focus on what you think WILL be or what MIGHT happen. For the moment, think about WHERE you are NOW and WHO you are. Where has God placed you? How has God directed your life to this point? What skills and talents, with your experiences, has He developed in you that form your identity?
Once you gain your bearings, use God’s Word to recalibrate—to adjust and reset your focus—both inward and OUTWARD. What’s in your hand? What wisdom has God given you to help you navigate these difficult days? How can you help someone else in the same situation? Strive to become and be the best version of yourself while moving through the transition. Paul instructs us in Ephesians 5 to “walk circumspectly …” Look around you! The Message says it this way, “Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” MIND THE GAP.
SECONDLY, it’s important to acknowledge that transitions are a normal part of life and should be expected. A music composition goes from one movement to the next—a book moves from chapter to chapter—life itself shifts from season to season. God promised that there would be continual transition. “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall NOT cease.” (Genesis 8:22 KJV)
Transition is inevitable, whether it be job/career changes, moving to a new home, the end of a close relationship, retirement. You name it. Transitions are an unavoidable reality for anyone who is moving forward, no matter how much you may love where you are now. Change is coming. It doesn’t mean that you have reached the end of the line—only that you are moving toward your next destination. One door may close, but another is always opening.
All through the Bible are examples of those who navigated major life transitions: Joseph, David, Paul, Jesus. But, one of the most dramatic occurred when the lives of thousands of Jewish slaves were suddenly changed as they passed through the turnstile from Egypt’s bondage to freedom and began to navigate toward their Promised Land. Within the foundational words of faith in Deuteronomy 6, Moses explains the context and purpose of their transition, “And (the LORD) brought us out from thence, that He might bring us in …”
When God brings us to a stop, it’s not always a dead end—it may just be time to change trains. He always has a better, brighter destination in mind.
STOP. WAIT. It’s important to remember that the platform where you’re standing is an important element of the transition process. “Transition” isn’t only about MOVING; it’s also about WAITING. Waiting for the next train—the next mission. Adjusting your position. Purging and preparing—and when God is directing our steps, it is HE that often does the purging and preparing in us. HE sees the next train. We don’t understand the painful loss and shift at the time, but later, we see GOD’s wisdom in it.
Pruning is always painful to the tree, but it is necessary to prepare that tree for its next season of fruitfulness. A.B. Simpson wrote, “Quite often God will ask us to wait before we go, so we may fully recover from our last mission before entering the next stage of our journey and work.” —Days of Heaven Upon Earth.
THIRDLY, in the state of transition itself, as the doors in life are opening and closing, dangers abound in crossing that threshold. We must watch our step continually that we don’t stumble in the process. (Moses learned that lesson the hard way, right at the doorway to the Promised Land.)
For example, a job loss, debilitating health crises, loss of a loved one, or even retirement may appear as a “gap.” A chasm that seems to separate you from the lifestream around you. It may lead to feelings of boredom, isolation, rejection, anxiety … a decline in self-worth, and even hopelessness.
Heads up! MIND THE GAP. Instead of grieving for what is over … “Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain … remember how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life.” (Revelation 3:3-5 KJV)
As you overcome the transitional thresholds of life, be watchful and embrace the change! Adjust your attitude, if necessary, to see GAIN, not loss. Practice a resilient, flexible outlook, and redefine your role and identity as you step forward … and beyond. Set new goals. Try new challenges. Let your life shine outward. Transition can be awkward – or it can be the best time of your life! So, MIND THE GAP … and off you go! Exciting destinations await!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, transition is a scary time. I’ve never been here before. But others HAVE, so let me LEARN. Others will come after me and face similar challenges, so let me set a good example of TRUST. It’s wonderful to know that YOU are making this journey with me. Others, too. Thank You! With You, I am NOT AFRAID—and I am NOT ALONE!
