This week we are looking at the last chapter of EHL.
A review of last week’s devotional.
A quick review of the six types of power a person has.
All proper use of power builds others up.
Chapter nine of Emotionally Healthy Leader looks at the rhythm of endings and new beginnings. We do not want to admit that good things come to an end (especially in western culture). We may also have a hard time leaving behind difficult trials. Regardless of our attitude towards endings, they are an inextricable part of our world and everyone will encounter them during their lifetime. The redemption of endings, however, appears in the beginning of new things. If we are unable to accept when things end, we will not be ready to receive new things when they begin. Integrating a healthy view of endings and new beginnings into our worldview is essential to spiritual maturity.
Solomon expounds upon the rhythms and seasons of life in Ecclesiastes. While Ecclesiastes is sometimes labeled as a, “book of laments” it shows that the author had no issue addressing the tragedies, futilities, and disappointments of life. Neither should we.
When Christ resurrected from the grave, He also showed that He has power to bring that redemptive process to any other area of our life. However, in order for something to resurrect it must really, truly, die.
When things end, we must accept that they are truly over. Death is final. There must be a grieving process after the death of a passing thing before we can be ready to accept the new thing. This grieving process can be disorienting, heartbreaking, and confusing. But if we refuse to go through the process then tragic endings can turn into catastrophic losses. Christ is with us when we go through losses so we do not need to be afraid of them.
The process of grieving- of laying dead things to rest- can take a long time. It will usually take longer than we are willing to admit or endure. But that waiting period is where Jesus does His transforming work in us.
Endings and new beginnings are an unavoidable and necessary part of our Christian faith. They are often the doors through which God invites us to new growth.
God’s promise is to do more through our suffering than we could ever imagine. Even in death. Let us welcome each ending in our lives, great and small, with an anticipation of what God will do next.