It was a cool, sunny afternoon in March. Spring was finally on the horizon after a long, freezing winter. I was at my favorite coffee shop in Springfield, Missouri, writing a sermon for the Young Adult ministry I led at my church. (If you’re ever looking for me, you can probably find me at a coffee shop!)

This was my dream job: I was in full-time ministry alongside my husband, watching college students fall in love with Jesus, at a church that had grown from one campus to three campuses in just a couple years. God’s favor was upon us, and it was such a privilege to be part of what He was doing. 

As I packed up my things and drove home from the coffee shop that afternoon, my husband called me and boldly said,

“I think God has released us.”

Wait, what? Did I hear you correctly? Like, why would God release us now, when everything is awesome and growing and exactly what we prayed for? What do you mean He is releasing us?

However, whether I was ready to admit it or not, I knew he was right. I felt it too. I felt that tug on my heart that God wanted to do something new, something different in our lives. He was calling us to let go of the familiar and embrace the unknown.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19a NIV

That month, we resigned from our staff positions and began praying about moving away from Springfield, Missouri. Some people thought we were crazy, and to be honest, I felt a little crazy. We were leaving everything familiar: our family, our home, our church, our friends, our jobs.

Fast forward to June: We drove a 26-foot UHaul 1,300 miles across the country, moved into a small townhouse, and took on a new position at Renovation Church in Phoenix, Arizona. I found myself in completely unfamiliar territory. We traded humid Midwest weather for dry desert weather, green forests for palm trees, rural country for big city. Practically every aspect of my life had changed.

Can I be honest with you? I’m a little tired of change. I feel like my life is running at a faster pace than I can keep up with, and I find myself wishing for some sort of familiarity in the midst of all the unknown.

And in this anxious, overwhelmed, out-of-control state: 

God meets me. 

The Creator of the universe who causes the earth to keep steadily spinning is the One who keeps me steady when my life is spinning out of control.

The God who holds the moon and the stars is the God who holds me when I can’t even hold myself together.

And when today looks vastly different from yesterday, I am comforted by the Constant One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I have a feeling you can relate to me. You may not have moved across the country, but I can imagine that you have had your own fair share of change these past few years. Maybe you’re adjusting to watching your kids grow into teenagers. Maybe you are adapting to a new job or relationship. Or perhaps you are grieving the loss of a loved one, learning to walk through life without him or her.

I have come to realize that this is right where God wants us: in a state of desperation where we have no choice but to depend on Him. When we finally let go of control, we come face-to-face with the God who loves us, who has everything under His control. 

It is in this position that our eyes are opened to the paradoxical truth:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:8 NIV

Whatever season of change you find yourself in, you can rest assured that God is right there with you. I wish I could give you a warm hug right now and let you know that I’m proud of you. I’m proud of you for getting back up each time life has pushed you down. I’m proud of you for seeking God, even when your life looks nothing like you expected. And I fully believe that God isn’t finished with you yet. He has a “new thing” He wants to do in and through you. You can bravely embrace the unknown, fully trusting that God is working all things together for your good.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV

- Adrian Lien