Life is full of transitions, some good, some not-so-good, and some bad. You graduate from High School, start your first job, get married, move, go on vacation, retire, get a new job, go on a fishing trip, and so on. We look forward to some events with great anticipation and dread others. Some we wish would never end, and others we can’t wait until they end. Some of the transitions we plan, and others just happen, whether we want them to or not.

All of creation is an illustration of life. Looking at it is a manual for living life if we really think and make an application. The seasons of the year and the various daily weather conditions are like our lives, constantly changing. When it rains, we wear a raincoat; when it gets hot, we wear shorts; when it gets cold, we wear a coat.

In life, there are some basic guidelines or rules for living; in the various transitions, events, and seasons of our life, make adjustments as needed, and don’t get locked into one way of doing things or running your life. In every new situation, work hard at learning and growing in wisdom and character. Trust God, who orchestrates our life for maximum growth. Ask Him for strength and wisdom. Rejoice always, and never grumble or complain, no matter how terrible a new situation or event might be; it short circuits all of the above.

For the last two weeks, I have been living in Soldotna, Alaska, fishing for Salmon ten hours a day and catching a lot of fish; it is a taste of heaven for me. I would like it if it would last longer, but in a week, I go home, and a new transition begins. I will preach on Sunday and Wednesday nights, teach leadership classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and study and write sermons, lessons, and books. I enjoy the ministry life very much and am more excited than ever for it to start because of this stint in Alaska.