Walking in the Way

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us… -Hebrews 12:1b

In life I’m a walker, not a runner. Regardless, the thought I want to convey is the same. I’ve learned that walking takes perseverance too. I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with uncertainty, especially in seasons when there has been little to no sense of direction. Have you ever been in one of those slumps? Are you in the middle of one currently? How are you framing your view of the unknown? Through the lens of curiosity or resistance?

The scripture is clear. The race (road, path, journey, calling, assignment) is marked out for us by God. We sometimes think we’ve missed the signpost. Could it be that the signs are just more spaced out than we originally thought? Or hidden from plain sight in order to entice the seeker in us? And could all of this be His “way” of nurturing our faith and growing us into people of character who know how to endure?

This idea is not unlike my experience of walking the way of the pilgrim, the El Camino de Santiago. My wife and I completed a 100 mile stretch of the trail in 2022. In just over a month from now, we return for more, albeit a different section of the trail…this time leading a group of like-minded couples.

The scallop shell symbol, famous along the Camino, appears once in a while along the way to ease the mind of the questioning pilgrim. This appeals to the planner in me. There is something that comes alive in me upon the sight of it. Yes, I say to myself, you are heading in the right direction. Who doesn’t like a bit of confirmation?

Walking the Camino somewhere in Northern Spain, 2022

However, there are long stretches of the trail void of markers. One does not always get to see the sign in front of them shouting “this is the way” (Mandalorian creed anyone?). But just often enough the pilgrim will spot the scallop shell etched into wood, dirt or stone, a welcome assurance that they are heading in the right direction. 

In our faith journeys, God gives us markers along the way, signposts to encourage us and give us a sense of confidence that he is leading and directing. Not all of the time, remind you. The signs can be few and far between. Nothing predictable or formulaic. A God Who inspires wonder and mystery will have none of that. Nonetheless, He’s good at what he does in forming the human soul. He knows what we need and when.

Personally, I’ve navigated large gaps and spaces of uncertainty, and plenty confusion to go with it. I’ve longed for clarity in those seasons. Can you relate? I’ve missed a few signs along the way, having to retrace my steps. I’ve cried out for clarity. Maybe I should have been praying for trust instead?

This is why I love doing what I do as a coach, walking with others through transition seasons. So much of the process is about becoming OK with uncertainty, learning to trust. It’s the questions which drive curiosity. 100% confidence all the time loses its luster and produces stagnation. 

We walk in life with the expectancy that the next mile-marker will confirm what we hope for. Not full clarity. Not total confidence. Certainly not completion (Is the real race ever really completed?). But a firm conviction that we haven’t just stumbled into this place; we are here with a purpose. We are in the Way.

The Well of Identity

Today, I’m thrilled to take you on a soul-stirring journey into the depths of identity. Identity has a huge role in the process of navigating change successfully and with greater clarity. Let’s find out why that is! Welcome to my latest podcast episode titled “The Well of Identity”, where we explore identity at its core.

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Episode Highlights

In this episode I share some practical strategies and insights to help us respond to identity confusion in our ever-changing lives. We will be reflecting on some ways we can stay grounded and purposeful in transition seasons.

Transitions are pivotal times to discover and embrace our true identities and live with greater purpose and fulfillment, even through the uncertainty and ambiguity of change. That’s good news!

Here are some key takeaways:

1. Healthy Identity. What does it look like? How does forgetfulness cause us to see ourselves as something less than how God sees us?

2. Identity Confusion: How can our true identities stay hidden under layers of unhealthy thought patterns influenced by our own misperceptions or cultural and societal norms?

3. Digging new wells: One of the invitations in transition seasons is to dig new wells toward our God-given identities. What does that mean and what might it look like?

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Listen to the Episode

Ready to dive into the well of identity? 🎧 Tune in to “The Well of Identity” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Reflect, take notes, and let the wisdom seep into your soul.

Don’t Forget!

As you sip your metaphorical water from the well of identity, don’t be surprised when other “voices” of false identity invade the space. Breathe the prayer, “Lord, remind me who I am in You.”  This journey is an ongoing pilgrimage my friend.

Thank you for being part of this faith-filled community. 🚀✨

Warm regards,

-Tim

P.S. If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with fellow pilgrims on the path. Let’s create ripples of authenticity together!

Anchor Points

Transitions bring disruption and upheaval. In transition seasons we may come to a point where we no longer recognize our lives. The steadiness and stability we once knew seems distant and out of reach. We want to hold on through the winds and waves of change, but to what? What is there to cling to?

It’s easy to give up on the idea of maintaining structure and routine through transition seasons. What’s the use anyway? Constant change will just sabotage my efforts. And so, we let the current of transition take us where it will, with the hope that we won’t drift too far or, worse yet, drown in the process.

What if we could build some intentionality into the process of change? How could it help us stay more grounded, hopeful, and purposeful through the uncertainty of it all?

I’d like to share some insights I’ve gathered along the way, particularly as it relates to building structure and routine into these times of uncertainty. I’ll be referring to them as anchor points, but other useful language could be holds or non-negotiables.

WHAT ARE YOUR ANCHOR POINTS?

Anchor points can be anything we do to create a sense of stability in the messiness and uncertainty of change. They mostly center around rhythms of rest, routines and relationships. They are intentional ways we want to steward time and leverage opportunities for overall health and growth.

I see anchor points as non-negotiables, with the expectation that flexibility will be necessary while navigating transition. Imagine pulling up the anchor, rowing to another spot, then anchoring down once again. Our weekly date night gets disrupted. What other options do we have for quality time together? My morning quiet time needs to shift. No worries. Tomorrow is a new day. Actually, I have a one-hour window this evening. Win!

It’s usually better to tweak a non-negotiable than to give up on it altogether. Yes, God gives us do-overs, restarts and second chances. Do you see a grace principle at work here?

Having anchor points reminds us that we are not defined merely by the changes taking place. We are more than that. Even though transition can challenge one’s sense of identity and purpose, God can also use it to remind us of who we are in Him. That’s such a stabilizing force!

Anchor points play a critical role in building the muscle of resilience. It’s a balancing act for sure. We adapt and flex with the changes around us, even while staying committed to rhythms and routines which ground us. In this way, transition can take on its own unique cadence designed by God uniquely for us, for a season.

Here’s a few ways to establish anchor points in transition seasons…

• Focus on what you CAN do instead of what you can’t. Limitations are real in transition. Capacity can be lower, options more limited. But at the same time, it can be a very creative season, allowing us to explore and experiment with out-of-the-box ideas and practices, which in turn can become new anchor points, at least for a season.

• Reflect and re-anchor weekly, if not daily. Priorities tend to change more frequently in transition. Decision fatigue can set in. To remain grounded and focused on what matters most, it’s important to pause and re-order priorities prayerfully and regularly. I like to sit down weekly and ask myself a series of questions, something I call Reflection Point. Feel free to download these questions HERE and use them or some variation of them if you find it helpful.

• Focus on being, not just doing. This can be especially helpful when we find ourselves in prolonged holding patterns, with not a whole lot to do. Following 20 years of life overseas and facing a big transition, I faced an identity struggle. Who was I apart from the roles and titles that defined me all those years? By focusing on God’s invitation to be with him and to define myself in new ways based on my relationship to Him, I was able to let go of a false sense of identity and become more anchored in what really matters.

Do you have anchor points that have helped you navigate transition? I’d love to hear from you.

As you reflect on this post, what comes to mind? What are some ways you tend to drift in transition? What are some routines and rhythms that could help you stay anchored?

Looking for a transitions coach with a proven track record of helping his clients successfully navigate change? Schedule your discovery call HERE.