Just days ago, the world watched as the Olympic flame ignited in Paris, marking the beginning of extraordinary athletic journeys. That ceremonial moment, filled with hope and anticipation, reminds us of the pivotal transitions we all face. Like athletes stepping onto the world stage, we, too, experience times when the familiar fades, and we venture into uncharted territory. Perhaps you’ve felt the excitement and anxiety that comes with new beginnings – starting a job, moving to a new city, or embarking on a fresh chapter in life. While your story may differ from an Olympian’s, we all navigate life’s transitions. In his insightful book “Transitions,” William Bridges outlines a helpful model for understanding this process.

Transition involves three main stages. First, there’s the ending, when we let go of how things used to be. Even good changes bring a sense of loss. We might feel scared, sad, or confused as we grieve what’s ending. Consider Abraham, who God called to leave his homeland for an unknown destination. Or the Israelites, liberated from slavery in Egypt but facing a strenuous journey through the desert. Even Jesus’ disciples had to let go of their previous lives to follow him. Endings are challenging, but they’re also necessary for growth.

Next is the neutral zone, like being lost in the wilderness. It’s the in-between time after an ending but before a new beginning. We don’t have our old routines but haven’t made new ones yet. This can feel uncomfortable and unsettling, but it’s also a time of creativity and openness to fresh possibilities. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land. Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert before beginning his public ministry. The neutral zone is a place of preparation, even if it doesn’t feel productive.

Finally, we reach new beginnings and start embracing a different reality. We create a new identity, roles, and ways of being. This stage can be exciting, even with lingering uncertainty. Noah and his family stepped out of the ark onto rain-washed land. The Israelites finally entered Canaan, their new homeland. The disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, proclaimed the gospel and birthed the early church. Ultimately, we look forward to “a new heaven and a new earth,” where God makes all things new.

Jesus illustrates this transition process in John 12:24, saying, “I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.” This metaphor captures the stages of transition. The seed being planted represents endings in our lives. The time underground symbolizes the neutral zone—a period of unseen yet crucial transformation we all experience. Finally, the emergence of new growth marks the beginning of a fruitful new phase in our journey.

Another example that reflects our life transitions is learning to ride a bike. Removing the training wheels represents endings in our lives—letting go of what’s familiar. The shaky, uncertain moments when we fall and need help mirror the neutral zone we often experience during transitions. We can’t rush this stage in life, just as we can’t force ourselves to master bike riding immediately. But with persistence and patience, the new beginning arrives—that exhilarating moment when we’re suddenly pedaling on our own, representing a breakthrough in our personal growth.

For these moments of new beginnings in our lives, whether they’re as subtle as a sprouting seed or as apparent as mastering a new skill, Bridges offers four essential practices. These help us navigate transitions with purpose and embrace the fresh starts we’ve been preparing for.

Start now. Don’t over-plan or wait for perfection. Trust that you are as ready as you will ever be. Consider the disciples when Jesus called them to follow him. Peter and Andrew could have waited to perfect their fishing skills and settle all their affairs. “Come, follow me,” [Jesus] said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” They immediately left their nets and followed him. Their willingness to start a new journey without delay opened the door to an extraordinary life of discipleship and ministry.

Embody the new you – Start living your new identity now. In Ephesians, Paul urges, “Clothe yourself with the new person created according to God’s image in justice and true holiness.” Don’t wait until you feel entirely transformed to act in new ways.

Expect resistance. Change brings internal and external friction. Remember how the Israelites grumbled against Moses in the wilderness? They had to overcome opposition to inherit God’s promises. Similarly, count on friction as you transition.

Embrace the journey – Focus on the process, not just the outcome. With God by your side, view setbacks as opportunities for growth and take the next faithful step. God told Joshua, “Be brave and strong … because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” The outcome belongs to God; our job is to take the next faithful step.

In the story of Bartimaeus, we witness a powerful example of new beginnings through encountering Jesus. Bartimaeus eagerly throws off his cloak—symbolizing his old life—and boldly asks Jesus for sight when called. This healing marks not just a physical transformation but the start of a new spiritual journey. Bartimaeus immediately begins following Jesus, demonstrating how a single moment with Christ can lead to a complete reorientation of life. His story illustrates the life-altering new beginnings possible when we respond to Jesus’ call with faith and courage.

Over the past 150 years and five years, we have experienced this pattern of endings, wilderness, and new beginnings multiple times as individuals, families, and a congregation. We have navigated through challenges and changes, saying goodbye to familiar ways and stepping into uncharted territory. Yet, through it all, we have seen God’s faithfulness and provision guiding us toward fresh starts and new opportunities.

The good news is that God’s grace is always enough, and God’s mercies are new every morning. Like Bartimaeus, we can cast aside anything that keeps us from following Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As we experience God’s transformative power, we can embrace new beginnings with Bartimaeus’s courage and an Olympian’s determination.

Just as the Olympic flame in Paris ignites dreams and aspirations, God’s light within us can spark transformative change. Our journey through life’s transitions may involve endings and uncertain neutral zones, but it ultimately leads to fresh starts filled with purpose and joy. Whether navigating personal changes or embracing new chapters as a community, God’s grace remains constant, and God’s mercies are new every morning.

In the days ahead, we can step forward in faith, ready to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and embrace the extraordinary life God offers. I invite you to commit to walking in God’s footsteps daily, knowing that there is always an opportunity for a new beginning in Christ. Will you pray with me?

Gracious God, as you guide us through life’s transitions, grant us the courage to let go, patience in uncertainty, and excitement for new beginnings. Light our path as we follow you. Amen. ~Pastor Andrew