Time of Transition: A Shift 

Have you really paid attention to how God has created transitions that buffer extremes? 

It reminds me of the story about the frog in the pot of boiling water. If the frog is thrown into the boiling water it instantly jumps out. Most likely, that would be the same if it were thrown into ice cold water.  

However, the frog seems to not notice the transition from room temperature to boiling when it is placed in the water before the temperature is turned up. 

Did God make twilight and dawn as a buffer between dark and light? Would our system be shocked and unable to cope? Did God also build a buffer between Summer and Winter because the same shock from cold to hot or hot to cold would shock our system?  

I have noticed that God has built transition into many events of my life. The transitions seem dull and boring. The transitions are a period of waiting for something to happen. I’ve gotten better at waiting in transitions as I’ve gotten older, but they are still pretty difficult because of lack of patience. 

God has a reputation dating back throughout recorded Biblical history that He doesn’t tell the whole story to His creation. If you notice the narrative, it is usually when people of the Bible had to wait in that transition that they got themselves into trouble because they began to wonder, “Did God really say?” 

Biological, environmental transitions can inform us about our personal life’s cycle and hopefully prevent us from making trouble for ourselves as we wait. These transitions include: Change in Temperature, Change in Light, and Change in Time. These three transitional changes are interdependent and work together during the cycle of change. Every organism has an optimum range for each of these transitions. Everyone’s sensitivity to these conditions are unique and individually designed by our Master Creator and will vary based upon our individual bent placed within us. 

#1 – Change in Temperature 

Some organisms are warm-blooded and generate their own heat, while other organisms are cold-blooded and depend on external sources for their temperature regulation. Environmental temperature change triggers the God-given regulator within organisms to spring to life, or slow down for a rest. Less light automatically interplays with temperature and reduces or increases temperatures that initiates the need for hibernation (from cold) or estivation (from heat). 

Our human emotions or attitudes can be analogous to temperature. How often have we heard the term, “hot-blooded”? Hot-blooded may symbolize running with deep passion and convictions. We may often associate this emotional temperature with youthful carefree reactions.  

Have you noticed that you may be transitioning to a more “cold-blooded” stance in life? A place where not much excites you anymore and it takes a lot of outside motivation to feel any deep conviction or passion? 

Let’s not automatically assume this transition from hot to cold is related to age. Maybe you are in transition and the things of the past don’t hold the same excitement. How do you find renewed life within your emotions?  

Try something new. Read a different type of book. If you are an avid non-fiction reader, pick up a Sci-fi classic and test it out. Try journaling for a month. Record your thoughts and emotions to observe the deeper you. Take up a new hobby. Join a small group (book club, garden club, card club) or sign up for free or reduced priced classes through community organizations. 

#2 – Change in Light 

Light triggers an organism’s sleep/awake (biorhythm) as well as other biological routines. Have you noticed that during the summer when there is more light, you may tend to have more energy, have increased activity, and even eat less? But, as the darkness of winter approaches, you feel so tired, you do less, and you eat more? 

As you are in transition you need to ask, “Are you feeding your soul light or darkness?” Light is “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Darkness includes anything that creates fear, anger, hate, murder, or anything that kills, steals, or destroys.  

That may seem extreme. But how do you value your health? Studies have shown that what you intake through your eyes and ears can directly impact your sleep and biorhythm.  

Studies have encouraged individuals to shut off T.V. and electronic devices several hours before bedtime. The blue-light of devices is said to disrupt our internal rhythm. Staying up late because we have electric lights to extend our day does not provide our bodies with the appropriate REM sleep needed for cell and muscle repair. Just as a baby needs sleep to grow, so adults need sleep to rejuvenate.  

#3 – Change in Time 

I have heard the quote, “Convenience will be the death of us.”  

Modern technological advances have provided humanity with more time. More time to do less. With that increased extra time there has been a rise in increased blood pressure, increased sugar diabetes, increased anxiety, and an overall decline of health. It is important to ask, “What are we doing with our time?” Gaining additional time because of conveniences could provide us with a great opportunity to achieve so much more.  

Everyone receives 24-hours a day in which we make choices. A full day could be divided into 1 full time job, a part-time job, and 8 hours of sleep with time left over for our family. We need to look at our time.  

What better choices could we make?  

Taking on an extra job is not what I’m recommending. But, you could take a community college audited class of a subject that you’ve always wanted to learn. Begin writing your memoir that would be cherished by your family. Devote extra time to reading your Bible and praying every day. Find an organization for which you could volunteer. 

Choose to become the master of your time, rather than time being your master. Don’t allow the thought of “I don’t have enough time” keep you from starting something new, or finishing something old.  

A Shift 

During the transition preceding the shift to the next phase or cycle of your life, don’t lose your perspective. God’s WORD is absolutely true. Feed your soul to remind yourself that God is working in the unseen transition time. He is adding to the outcome we haven’t yet seen; the faith becoming sight. 

Positive Reminders: 

• For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:5) 

• Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

• It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23) 

• For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) 

“Trust in the LORD/Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  

Don’t give up or give in. You may just be in the transition period before the shift becomes sight.