More from Lisa Stackpole

Today’s devotional, “Transitions,” was written quite a while ago. Rather than submitting a piece as soon as I am finished, I wait and submit three at a time, which makes it easier for me to keep track of them. Then of course it takes additional time to go through the selection process, and if it is selected, more months until it is translated and published.

It’s always interesting for me after reading the published piece to think back to what was happening in my life when I wrote it. This is particularly true for the concept of God using transitions to refine us.

I wrote “Transitions” just over three years ago, early in 2023. In spring of that year, I was afflicted with a condition that affected my inner ears and resulted in vertigo. While the original condition is treatable with physical therapy, it can reoccur. And even when it is corrected, I continue to experience imbalance. This has caused me to modify some aspects of my life—I can no longer drive long distances so vacation trips have been limited, I had to quit line dancing class, etc. But by and large, I’ve been able to continue with most of the activities and volunteer work I’ve been involved with. Reading through this piece I wrote three years ago was a good reminder to me that God can and does use transitions in our lives to produce more fruit.

Then this past December I noticed some slight symptoms in my jaw and chest and went to urgent care. This resulted in double bypass surgery a few days later, which was totally unexpected. My life these past three months has been another round of transitions. Thank the Lord, I am slowly gaining strength and starting to go back to activities I’ve had to set aside since the surgery.

As I was praying one day for recovery from surgery and an end to the vertigo, I had the strong impression that God was asking me, “Is the desire of your heart for you to be healthy or to be made into the image of my Son?” That was a very humbling thought. I had to admit that God’s ways are not my ways (see Is. 55:8-9). I know God desires me to become like Jesus and knows the best way to make that transition.

I’m rejoicing in my improving health and strength but praying that God will help me focus on God’s desires, trusting God to do his work in my life.