Every generation attempts to tell the next generation about it, but when we are young, we are too silly and too distracted to listen. Yet, as we grow up, as we mature, as we face the various challenges in our lives, we certainly change.

These changes are the passages of our lives that the “old timers” used to harp about. I am really aware of one of those transition points occurring in my own life this year. Yes indeed, 2010 is a year of passage for me. I am facing new experiences and know that I am being changed drastically by them.

The effect of these passages are completely dependent upon how you react to the underlying events. There is no single response to any event in one’s life. Some demand care, others demand introspection. Some require rage and righteous indignation and yet other demand forgiveness. Some need the balm of love and others respond only to softening one’s heart. The wrong approach tends to change us for the worse instead of for the better.

I have found that the key to dealing with these transitional, transformational events is to seek God’s guidance. Truer words I cannot utter than Proverbs 3:3-6: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV) God, who knows all and who sees all, can chart the best course through my life’s minefields. It is when I try to drive through them myself that I cause great pain and come out wounded and less than I should be!

As I stated earlier, I am transiting a critical stage of my existence. There is a confluence of a large number of disastrous events all focused on my life this year. How I deal with them, or rather, how I allow God to deal with them through me and through others, will spell my future character. What will I be a year from now? What will I become? Will I become hardened like a crusty crab by these experiences or will I mature and become more loving and forgiving? Will the future Chris be a blessing to many or a curse?

Passages. Expect them for they are coming to a life near you….