Whether your transition is job loss, loss of a dream, inability to complete an important assignment, leaving something (someone) behind to obtain work or a dream or any other form of loss - have you mourned it?
I write this on my last day of "unemployment" after ending a ministry last January. Tomorrow, May 31st I fly to Toronto for 2 weeks to begin my new role as Director of Candidate Recruitment & Development for the C&MA in Canada. I will be based in Calgary but will be travelling a fair bit with this role. My responsibility is to oversee the processes that recruit and prepare the people who serve in international/cross cultural contexts.
It was not until a few days ago, in the midst of a final formal review to assess the leadership and organizational lessons learned during my time as leader of the ministry I left behind, that I finally grieved the loss.
I lamented
I mourned
It was not until a few days ago, in the midst of a final formal review to assess the leadership and organizational lessons learned during my time as leader of the ministry I left behind, that I finally grieved the loss.
I lamented
I mourned
I felt sorrow
And now I finally feel free to move on.
Up until this moment my processing has been a mix of 'suck it up and end well', of rationalization, disappointment & acceptance. Lot's of 'head stuff'. Only recently did my heart mourn the loss of what was. I discovered something in my 'lament' - that until you mourn, you cannot move on. The Lord truly met me in the 'mourning' and today I finally feel released to close the door on what was and open the new one as of tomorrow. I actually feel physically and emotionally lighter. I am now unchained from what I carried sub-consciously. Closing a door does not mean forgetting relationships, lessons or even pain, but it does release your spirit to move freely into what is next.
Whatever you are leaving behind in your transition, know this - while your heart mourns and you release the sorrow deep within, God will strengthen you to hold onto the good things done, experienced and learned. Then let the freedom gained via mourning reign, so you can move into what is next.
I leave you with this thought that has encouraged me as I think about what was and what could have been:
God carries on what I cannot. Rest in that and open the next door.
And now I finally feel free to move on.
Up until this moment my processing has been a mix of 'suck it up and end well', of rationalization, disappointment & acceptance. Lot's of 'head stuff'. Only recently did my heart mourn the loss of what was. I discovered something in my 'lament' - that until you mourn, you cannot move on. The Lord truly met me in the 'mourning' and today I finally feel released to close the door on what was and open the new one as of tomorrow. I actually feel physically and emotionally lighter. I am now unchained from what I carried sub-consciously. Closing a door does not mean forgetting relationships, lessons or even pain, but it does release your spirit to move freely into what is next.
Whatever you are leaving behind in your transition, know this - while your heart mourns and you release the sorrow deep within, God will strengthen you to hold onto the good things done, experienced and learned. Then let the freedom gained via mourning reign, so you can move into what is next.
I leave you with this thought that has encouraged me as I think about what was and what could have been:
God carries on what I cannot. Rest in that and open the next door.
Harv
Thanks Harv. I always appreciate your depth of thought. Thanks.
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