“Settled” is not just a space on the Transition Bridge
“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!” Psalms 90:1 NLT
Does that sound “settled”? Do you feel at home in God? Maybe you have felt homesick for God? Possibly you can related to an unsettled longing to just spend time with the Father, the Good Shepherd.
This month we again enjoyed the experience of an amazing annual conference for caregivers in the mission of God organized by Barnabas International called PTM, or Pastoral Training in Member Care. Here’s their vision: “For anyone involved in caring for global workers-whether with a local church, a sending agency, or a member care organization-PTM provides ample opportunities to network, learn, and be encouraged. Committed to caring for caregivers, the PTM Conference exists to develop the shepherding skills and heart of the member care community.”
Did we come away feeling cared for? Most certainly!! How do we summarize that experiences of the PTM week? Allow us to share a few thoughts from the intro to the week. Hosted at Ridgecrest Conference Center in picturesque Black Mountain, NC, just three hours from our home, we rubbed shoulders with 181 Kingdom care workers fresh from the trenches. Some brought a world of hurt, having to leave the field abruptly due to loss of visa after “almost” completing their 20-year translation project in PNG. Very unsettled. Yet—our theme for the week was “Settled”. Patty Stallings, who brings 30 years of global education experience having raised three children in Asia, set the tone for the conference. She shared, “‘Settled’” conveys a sense of being firmly established and made secure; to be brought to rest and at peace even when circumstances are unsettled. Settled is a sense of being at home in God.” (See Ps. 90:1)
When we discuss transition in our ABIDE Reentry sessions, we use The Transition Bridge as a role playing example of moving from settled…to leaving…to the in between or “liminal space”…to entering…to settled again. So this theme of “Settled” seemed especially appropriate in this context of offering care to global workers. In fact, you might consider using this same bridge framework in any transition in life. Before you say, well at least this does not apply to me, work through the following.
As Patty puzzled, LIFE unsettles us! How so? Consider which applies to you?
· Disruptions
· Disillusionment
· Disappointments
· Discouragement
· Disfunction
· Dissipations (yes, see Luke 21:34 ESV) Remember, Jesus says, “Don’t let that day catch you unaware! … Keep alert at all times!” (V36)
Settled certainly does not mean “complacent!” Is God interested in our comfort? Yes, but He is more interested in being our Comforter. Ps. 34:18; also 147:3 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”(NLT) He tends to the broken hearted, heals, and restores. Mercy settles. The water where he leads is not stagnant but still, refreshing, not frightening but quiet. (Ps. 23) Patty shared “Dis- other thing is a way to dis-cover God’s perfect plan to transform us!” He’s saying, “Will you trust me?!?” At times, our transition bridge collapsed and our RAFT sank. We need to be reminded that Jesus is the One who holds all things together when life seems to be falling apart! (See Col 1:17 NLT, compare MSG)
Consider 1Peter 5:10-11 “In His kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to Him forever!!”
Consider that firm foundation! Remember, what happens because The LORD is my shepherd!? Ps. 23 “He makes me lie down in green pastures!” That sounds settled beyond or in spite of the “dis…” above.
Then we were asked to “Ponder” these questions, and we are passing them on hoping to hear from you:
· What if the repair is more significant than the rupture?
· What if redemption is better than prevention?
· “What if the parts of our story we want to erase become in the end the parts of our story where God wants to show us His grace?” (Tyler Stanton)
