Change

I am in the middle of a transition.  Like outgoing governments moving into the new, as a new coach replaces a legend, and even as people move in and out of one’s life, transitions involve change.  For many transitions in life, politics for example, we know the underlying reason for the change.  People change their minds (through voting), teams look for a new approach (often due to the win/loss ratio), and performance fails to meet expectations or needs.  In my case the transition is both simpler and far more complex.  Few seriously ask why.  It’s probably a good thing.  Dealing with raw, honest, unfiltered human emotions is never easy. 
 
In certain situations there is an external driver for the change.  Now that I am in the middle of yet another transition in my life I have come to the obvious conclusion that whatever one things they see on the outside, those on the outside see at best half.  There are a lot more drivers than anyone involved realizes.  One side is dealing with expectations, hope, visions, reality, and the difficulty of intelligently integrating these together into a cohesive whole.  The other grabbles with personal aspirations, hopes, dreams, principles, and values.  Trying to understand this multidimensional equation is extremely difficult, perhaps impossible.
 
Despite the challenge I think asking the “why” questions of other is extremely important.  I have several in my life asking me these questions.  At times it is difficult, yet it helps.  Occasionally I find myself squirming inside, yet the grabbling strengthens my understanding.  I even find myself hiding, unable to answer or even come to terms with what I see, yet this in itself is a step forward into a future filled with hope.
 
Jesus wondered aloud when it came to those closest to him.  “I am on my way to the One who sent me.  Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’” (John 16.5)  My advice to all, including to myself, is this; ask why!  Demand answers of others.  Demand answers from God; then listen well.  Listen hard and long.