It’s June and the beginning of summer is right around the corner. We see early spring wildflowers stop blooming, trees expanding, and the focus is slowly turning to summer vegetation. I don’t have a lot of experience gardening, but I am very interested and have even taken a class here and there to have somewhere to start when I have my own home. Something I learned recently that I found interesting is how tomato plants develop stronger roots when you transplant them. Transplanting them can lead to a temporary wilt but in the long run it helps them become resilient to different stressors by creating a more robust root system. The transition and loss of stability in one environment can lead to transformation and growth in a new one.
This idea of transformation also makes me think of Pentecost as we approach its observance on the Church calendar. I reflect on how the disciples must have been feeling on that first Pentecost as they anxiously waited for the promised Holy Spirit. They had been with Jesus, witnessing his teachings, miracles, death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus had told them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Although they were already empowered and commissioned by Him, this was going to be a big transition for them. I am sure they missed seeing Jesus personally, walking and talking with Him daily. His physical presence with them brought them a sense of stability and purpose. The loss of His visible presence couldn’t have been easy, but it was both necessary and worth it and in John 16:7 Jesus even said it would be better for Him to leave so that He could send the Comforter.
I have been through many transitions in my life, some bigger than others. A significant one has been immigrating to this country. While less perilous than many, my journey and integration into US culture from Mexico was traumatic in certain ways. It also deeply and positively impacted my life. It gave me the opportunity to get a good education, be the first in my family to attend college and encounter God in a new and personal way the summer before my senior year of college.
Another significant transition in my life—besides getting married and having two babies at the same time as a first-time mom—was when we moved our family to Chester County to live with my parents almost 6 years ago. While the move was necessary for our family to survive financially while my husband pursued his PhD, we didn’t fully know how God was going to use this transition in our lives. Prior to moving, we were living in our own home in Baltimore and were very involved with our bilingual church there. Losing a steady income, moving out of our home, and away from our church community felt like losing our stability and identity. Our Baltimore church was where we got married, where we served as leaders in different ministries. Baltimore is also the city where we welcomed our twin boys into the world. But we knew God was calling us to this decision. As leaders we were given the opportunity to give a goodbye message to our Baltimore church family. In it we said, “We don’t know all that the future holds, but we trust God to lead us and provide for us along the way.” And boy did he provide. For starters we found a wonderful new church family, Willowdale en Español, where we quickly felt at home. We moved a little bit before the COVID pandemic hit but because we were able to quarantine with my family, we didn’t feel as isolated as we would have been if we were still living in the city. Moving in with my parents also allowed me to continue being a stay-at-home mom, homeschool my twin boys, work part-time, and have time to serve with our Willowdale family.
We now find ourselves in another season of transition. My husband recently accepted a full-time teaching position at Messiah University and we anticipate moving to be closer to his job. Once again it feels like we’re moving away from stability, comfort, and community. Even though it can feel disorienting, when I give God my fears about future changes, He helps me trace His hand in my life, gently reminding me that He is the one in control. I see how He has used transitions in my life as opportunities to strengthen my trust in Him. In the same way Jesus told his disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and empower them, I can also trust that His Spirit is with me wherever I go. Indeed, each of us can trust that God is working all things—even painful transitions—to continue growing our faith and transform us into the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
If you also find yourself in a period of transition or are anticipating one, I encourage you to set your eyes on Christ. Whatever pain, loss and discomfort this transition may bring, you can trust that God is with you and will use this process profoundly in your life. Just as the disciples waited in both loss and anticipation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we have confidence that God will both comfort and empower us to do the work He is calling us to.
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Maritza Zavala Smith was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and moved to the US when she was seven. She studied Public Health at Penn State where she met her husband. They have been married for 8 years and have twin boys and a baby girl. Maritza loves traveling and salsa dancing. When she is not delighting in matcha green tea lattes and being outdoors with loved ones, you can find her adventuring with her tribe through books.