Transitions: Push and Pull
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
- Psalm 32:8
Transitions from one season of life to another—be it from college to career, from singleness to married life, from young adulthood to parenthood, or even from one job to another—are intense life events. Even when these changes are joyful and desirable, they are still often fraught with stress. After all, change (even for those of us who love variety and newness) requires adaptation and is unpredictable, to some degree.
So, if transition brings about stress, why would we ever willfully engage in such change? The answer is usually a matter of push and pull.
Some transitions in life are motivated by a sense of push: a need to move forward, to get away from the present situation, or a sense of completion of one thing, and a need to do something else—something more or different.
Other transitions are motivated by a compelling pull coming from the what’s next. In this situation, there’s no real desire to leave the present situation or season! But there’s an undeniable feeling of calling coming from the unknown and the next season, beckoning an obedient response.
Obviously, a transition motivated by push is likely difficult. The pain that can be experienced in feeling pushed out often leaves a person feeling vulnerable, hurt, and uncertain of what’s ahead. I’ve sat with countless people who are trying to make sense of their investment in one place or situation, while feeling unappreciated, misunderstood, or undervalued.
But not all transitions are rooted in push. Having recently walked through a professional transition myself, I can attest to the reality that sometimes, even when you’re in a wonderful season of life, the future calls. In this situation, the pull of the next season can be so compelling, action seems necessary. These transitions, motivated by more pull than push are also challenging. They require a sacrifice of things held dear and a willingness to step forward in faith.
There are, of course, seasons where both push and pull are involved in transition. But taking account of the greater force may be a helpful method in discerning the right timing and motivation for making significant life changes and recognizing God’s leading in your life.
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Dr. Emily Vermilya serves as the Assistant Professor for Christian Worship at Indiana Wesleyan University. Prior to her current role, Emily was on staff at CWC for around 15 years in various roles, but always occupying the role of mentor, coach, and developer for the people around her. She and her husband Jim live in Marion, and have two adult children, Silas and Aynsley.