Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV) says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

The seasons are changing! You are in the process of putting away your summer clothes and getting out your fall decorations, and maybe running to your favorite coffee shop to grab a pumpkin spice latte. You are planning a weekend outing to visit a corn maze or pumpkin patch with the family! Some are excited for the cooler temperatures while others hate to see summer go. Regardless of what season you prefer, they do change, and it is that time again. What matters is when you recognize the seasons are changing, you must transition gracefully!

Transitions can be tough. A good example is Joshua. He stayed by Moses’ side for a long time, and when Joshua’s mentor and spiritual leader in his life passed away, he was facing a tough decision. Instead of quitting and simply dying in the wilderness, God instructs him to be courageous, meditate on His Word, and lead His people into the promise land! The key in God’s promise was this: “As I have been with Moses, so I will be with you!” (Joshua 1:5) It was as if the instruction and promises God gave Moses had now transferred to Joshua, and Israel could stand behind and in agreement with Joshua after watching how he stood alongside Moses and was faithful in his calling! It was a graceful transition!

Because you are transitioning doesn’t mean you are quitting. You may serve certain roles in certain seasons of your life, and it is important to leave a position better than you found it, whether it is in the religious world or the secular one. Of course, some situations are unavoidable, but our goal should be not to leave anywhere on bad terms. Burning bridges out of anger that may be needed later on in life is not healthy or smart. It can even bring a reproach to the next place you go in the next season of your life.

If you feel a release from the position you hold, the first thing you should do is pray. Make sure you never leave out of discouragement and frustration but you are following the peace of the LORD! In fact, it is better to leave “on top” so to speak instead of leaving when things are broken and in a mess. That is a specific time when people need encouragement, healing and authentic leadership the most!

Secondly, your heart should be to train or position someone to take it further than you could have! The most complete you will be in ministry is when you have a Paul (spiritual father for mentoring and leadership), Barnabas (spiritual brother for prayer and accountability), and a Timothy (spiritual son to disciple for Christ). Therefore, your should be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and recognize who you are preparing and training for the glory of God so they can excel and be successful!

Finally, as you transition into the next season and phase of your life, be sure to take the temperature of the room to recognize the needs and concerns in order to bring everyone on the same page and cast the vision concerning the direction that organization needs to go! You are not the Savior, but you can point people towards Him and set the example of what true leadership should look like! When you do this, instead of transitioning harshly, you will enter into a graceful transition for which you are designed!