At age 21, I prepared to transition my life and live abroad. Pre-field orientation prepared me for one of the biggest transitions of my life. Currently, you and I are experiencing a transition of leadership. Perhaps not as major as moving overseas, but we could still benefit from learning how to transition well.
This week, our daily team will guide you through a process counselors call “rafting.” “R” stands for reconciliation. “A” stands for affirmation. “F” stands for farewell. “T” stands for think destination. Stop for a moment to think about each of these words.
To reconcile is to make right with others. To affirm is to encourage and speak life into someone else. To say farewell is to make sure there is a moment of closure where goodbyes are said. To think destination is to begin dreaming about the new reality to come, so hope can grow beyond the loss incurred.
As we guide you through this process, I invite you to not skip a day because each day is designed in consecutive order. Each of these days will be rooted in God’s word and in practices healthy for our spiritual journey. So no matter how much this transition may be affecting you, you would greatly benefit from identifying a loss or transition in your own life and engaging this week with us.
Before beginning the process of rafting, join me in the serenity prayer.
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
By Yvonne Biel