I’m reading a great book that was recommended to me, called Founding Mothers, written by Cokie Roberts (the reporter). It is a history of the wives, daughters, mothers and sisters of the Founding Fathers and their impact on the birth of this nation. I am really enjoying it, highly recommend it and will most likely find that it inspires quite a few blogs. Lots of material for thought and discussion.
I confess that I looked at the end of the book. After all, remembering my high school American History lesions, I know how it all turns out. The book closes with the emphasis on the first smooth transition of the Presidency – from George Washington to John Adams. It was an amazing, unique and virtually unheard of thing in those times. My husband, Wes, plans to use the details of the first to transitions of the US Presidency in a future article or sermon.
It still is amazing and unique in this world. The USA has experienced 40-some elections and transitions. The most recent, from George W. Bush to Barak Obama, was a study in transition etiquette. The then president-elect Obama frequently responded to requests that he jump in and do something, “we have only one president at a time.” News reporters marveled at the open and cooperative actions of President Bush and his staff in handing over the reins to the Obama Whitehouse.
In a world where even allegedly open elections all too often result in months of violence, we can all be very thankful for the smooth transition from one administration to the next.
You know, it won’t be that smooth when Jesus returns. The Bible tells us that the world will fight against Him and it will be VERY BAD – the worst time of conflict ever. Blood up to the horses’ bridles. God expects it and has planned for it, although I’m sure He’d be very happy if the world would surprise Him.
As women, our lives are full of transitions – from daughter to wife, wife to mother, mother to grandmother, maybe great-grandmother, or widow before it is all over.
As Christians, we begin with one huge transition – from non-believer to believer, from one living in this world by our own wits to one guided by the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. Some of us go down easy, some have to be knocked off a horse and blinded, like Paul.
Once we become believers, we agree to continually transition. We don’t change all at once and we truly never stop changing – become more like our Heavenly Father in thought, word and deed. Although the initial turn might be dramatic, the lifetime that follows is typically more one of slight shifts and changes – like those transition lenses that slowly shade over when you come out into the sun.
Problem is, sometimes we resist. We don’t want to give up that habit, thought processes or behavior because it is comfortable or because we just like it – get something out of it. Or, worse yet, because someone we don’t like or agree with told us we needed to change.
Today, I want to encourage us all to work toward a continual and smooth transition from who we were to who God called each of us to be. And then, at Jesus’ return, we’ll experience the final change-over to spirit-being. That will be dramatic.
Then final transition from man’s government in every form to God’s government over all of mankind will be a violent take-over at first. But, ultimately, God will work with all the world as He works with us now, to change a little more each day. Our chance is now, don’t fight the transition.
With love,
Nancy
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