Shift.

/shift/

• To transfer or move from one place, position, or direction to another
• To put something aside and replace it by another; to change or exchange
• A means (or device) for effecting an end
• An effort or expedient exerted or tried in difficult circumstances

Sisters, I am in a season of shifting. I appreciate this word because it encompasses what I, and maybe many of you, are experiencing as well. It is the idea of transferring without completely “changing” into something entirely different. In other words, I am actively yet carefully moving and growing into something better. A better version of myself. 

Basically, life has been life-ing! Between experiencing many unusual twist and turns, handling challenging circumstances personally, professionally and socially, and even dealing with the daily ends and outs of a busy work schedule, I have had no choice but to Shift. And the more I keep living, the more I realize that shifting is not optional- it’s necessary! The problems I faced when I was growing up are not the same problems I’m facing as a grown-up! It’s actually quite unnerving because at times I’ll look at myself and say “wow, I’m really out here on my own and creating my own life.” And I thank God for guidance and grace on this journey, because I would be so lost without it. However, I have also learned that God can only lead me, He cannot make me follow. That is the undercurrent of my shift: my desire to follow Him. No matter what. 

Unfortunately, sometimes life throws us lemons that we just don’t want and things happen that are simply out of our control. There are questions we may never get the answer to and lessons that we have to learn out of adversity. But the beautiful thing about the complexity of this life is that God is always working in it. I’ve noticed for myself that God can use adversity, hardship, and just pure pain to shift you into your next gear.

At surface level, when you shift from one position to the next, it can seem like you are forsaking what was for something else. Well, actually you are exchanging what was and making space for the new. The last level of your life had only one purpose: to prepare you for the next level. When Jacob’s wife, Rachel, died after childbirth, the scripture says that Jacob buried Rachel, and Israel moved on. God is sovereign and gracious and I believe He changed Jacob’s name just at the right time because He knew his entire life was about to change as well. Jacob loved Rachel dearly and worked hard to make her his wife, but when she died, he had no other choice but to shift. He couldn’t stay in that place of mourning forever, otherwise he would not have been able to do all that God had called him to do. So Israel got up, got himself together, and shifted into the next gear of his life. I realize that it is so much easier said than done, but God’s grace is sufficient even in suffering.

19 “So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb. 21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.”

Genesis 35:19-21

So I say to you, my beloved sister, get up and shift. Shift into this next season of your life gracefully. God has poured His grace so heavily on me that I’ve had no other choice but to shift. Since I have breath in my lungs and strength in my bones, I must shift. If I don’t, I will never fulfill all that God has planned for me. I will never see the fullness of God’s goodness if I never get up from where I am. I was in a rut for a little while, but now I’m shifting with power from God. My attitude, mindset, goals, and ambitions are shifting from dreams to reality in Jesus’ name! I have no time to waste. I’m shifting from wanting more to getting and doing more! By the grace of God, I’m turning all my pain and disappointment into purpose and destiny! And that is my prayer for you. Life can get incredibly hard at times, but a fighter is never counted out if she is still standing! And a real fighter not only knows how to punch, but she knows how to shift her weight to make the punches land and hurt! At the same time, she is able to absorb the blows from her opponent and not fall down! I pray God endow us with strength from on high to keep fighting, keep punching and taking punches, and keep praying as we shift into this next beautiful, amazing, prosperous, and deeply satisfying chapter of our lives. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:21-24 

By Carmen Williams
IG: @Carmnvan1

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