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!

Seamless Provision

The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan. - Joshua 5:11-12

I notice something from this passage which seems to be true about most transition seasons. They are opportunities to trust God when resources we’ve come to depend on are no longer part of our lives. But trusting can be difficult to do when we can’t see the path forward or envision the ideal future we long for. Wilderness transitions are like that. We struggle to believe. We imagine worst case scenarios…

 What if my support dries up? What if I let go of this dependable paycheck so I can launch this dream, and God doesn’t come through? What if someone in my family experiences a health crisis while in the middle of this transition?

 Transition seasons challenge our ability to trust for daily provision, especially when the transition involves prolonged time in-between jobs and subsequent loss of income. I’ve worked with multiple clients who have struggled with trusting as they navigate this messy middle, having lost one dependable source of income while waiting for something else to replace it.

Manna represents God’s desire and ability to care for and sustain his children in wilderness seasons…miraculously. The Israelites experienced 40 years in the desert…a long season defined by the miraculous. Talk about prolonged transition! During this time, God provided a fresh, daily supply of manna (sort of like bread) from heaven to sustain them. There were other ways He provided as well. He caused the sandals on their feet to not wear out. He gave them water from a rock on more than one occasion. He led them through the desert by means of a pillar of cloud by day (shade and protection) and a pillar of fire by night to light their way (guidance).

 Finally, after a generation had passed, they crossed the Jordan river and were standing on the other side (think successful transition, phase 1). Suddenly the flow of manna stopped and seamlessly a new source of provision came through. Did I say seamlessly? Yes, God’s provision can be seamless in transition seasons when we understand the depth and breadth of his care.

 Here’s 3 things to know when it comes to experiencing seamless provision in times of transition…

• Seamless provision is not measured merely in monitary terms. As I look back on those in-between seasons of my life when money was scarce, I can truly thank God for the many other ways he seamlessly provided. He blessed my family with good health during times when a large dentist or medical bill would have been devastating. Unexpected gifts came from unexpected sources, causing me to thank God not only for the provision itself, but for the people through whom it came. He’s given me peace and courage to press on when I’ve been tempted to take the easy way out instead of staying on a more rewarding, albeit a more difficult path.

• Seamless provision doesn’t mean the absence of scarcity. Resources can become scarce when things are shifting. Previous wells dry up, requiring us to dig new ones. While traversing the desert, the Israelites did not feast on pots of meat every day like they did in Egypt. It was a lean and prolonged season. Lean because of the environment; prolonged, at least in part, due to their disobedience. Nonetheless, God met their needs through hostile places and uncertain times. He can do the same for us.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. - Isaiah 42:16

• Seamless provision is actualized one step at a time. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan and ate their first meal from the produce of the promised land, they had no idea that the manna would not be waiting for them to gather outside their tents the next morning. It was a sudden shift in provision following a long journey, made possible by a step of faith in harmony with God’s mysterious and perfect plan. It was seamless as long as they kept moving forward, in step with God’s plan. They would soon face the next step of faith as they approached the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6).

 Transition is less about big leaps and more about a sequence of steps. It’s less about being a one-time event and more about process. - Tim Austin

 What do you need today to embrace and engage this transition season you’re in? What shift in perspective do you need in order to move through a transition of seamless provision?

 How can I help? Book a discovery call with me HERE.

 P.S.  Provision is waiting on the other side. Clarity is just around the corner.

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*Photo by Gabriela Palai from Pexels

New Frontiers: 3 Outcomes of Cultivating Curiosity

I’m currently reading a book titled Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose. The author’s retelling of the Lewis and Clark journey has kindled within me a new interest in American history. I attribute this newfound curiosity to the ways of transition.

The Lewis and Clark expedition was fueled by a good dose of curiosity during a major transition period. While other political and economic agendas were undoubtedly present, scientific discovery loomed large as a top priority. Simply put, curiosity got the better of our forefathers, proving to be a game changer in our country’s formation.

Transitions are like new expeditions into unexplored territory. As we set out on transition’s path, we may be surprised at what sparks interest and fuels motivation.

Is a major transition igniting your curiosity in some unexpected or surprising way? I encourage you to explore the uncharted territory which transition affords. 

Cultivating curiosity through transition seasons can lead to 3 super positive outcomes:

1. Discovery. When we cultivate curiosity we begin to gain new perspective. Personal desires and dreams come to the surface. We become more aware of ourselves, our gifts and how we are wired. We discover values that have shifted. When I started to cultivate curiosity I began breaking out of restrictive patterns or thinking. Those patterns were part of my old life, but should they be part of the new? How can I make room for new desires and interests and awaken old interests that have been dormant?

2. Fulfillment. As we begin to live out of our new orientation, aligned with our values and convictions, we come to a new place of fulfillment. Fulfillment comes even as we awkwardly try on new schedules, priorities and activities. Why? Because we are moving in alignment with our convictions, not simply our comforts.

3. Wisdom. Wisdom is a treasure gained by paying attention. As we take the time to learn from the past and reflect on what our experiences have taught us, we gain a wealth of wisdom. We then take this valuable commodity into the next season and future transitions. As we share what we’ve learned with our fellow transitioners, wisdom is multiplied.

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”

— Proverbs 3:13-14, NIV

What price are you willing to pay in order to secure this priceless commodity? How can you cultivate curiosity through your transition season? What clues into your purpose and destiny are waiting to be uncovered?

As your coach I’m here to support you. Schedule a complementary discovery call to get started on your journey.

Here to serve,

–Tim Austin
Founder and Coach, Encompass Life Coaching