Segue

“Weeping may remain for a night, 

but rejoicing comes in the morning.” 

Psalm 30:5, NIV

New Year’s Eve is a tricky day for me. It tends to bring with it bittersweet feelings and mixed emotions. Not only do I always have a tinge of regret over the things that I should have done during the previous year but also, with joy in my heart, I look forward to the endless new possibilities wrapped into the coming year. 

Come what may, those transitions occur annually and life goes on. As I go through them, I can be grateful that not only am I blessed to move from one year to another but also that God can provide fresh insight for me every day as I make plans to honor Him more with each new year.

This idea of transition is reminiscent of the musical term segue – one that was introduced to me many moons ago while attending Biola University. In a multi-movement musical work, it is customary to pause between movements. However, there are times when a composer would use the term segue between the movements as a means to express to performers the wish to do away with that pause. So, conscientious performers would proceed to the following movement without any discernible break or pause.

Each life is essentially like that – a musical score on which God has boldly imprinted the word segue. I found myself agreeing with that realization as I recently celebrated the 17-year anniversary of my coming to the United States. What a transition that was! I came with a burning desire to learn all I could in music and to make a difference in the world, a desire that I continue to cherish and pursue.

God fulfilled my desire by guiding me through several transitions. The transition from Haiti's 94 degrees Fahrenheit to Chicago's 3 degrees and 10 inches of snow was startling to say the least. Leaving Chicago to attend Biola in Los Angeles, CA was yet another drastic change. Four+ years later, I married my college sweetheart and transitioned from singleness into married life, from the bustling city life of Los Angeles to the quietness of agricultural State College, PA. It was there that my wife and I transitioned into the stage of parenthood. 

Almost five years after we moved to PA, our family moved to the snow belt of Rochester where great friendships and biblical instruction outshone the impeccable musical training I received at the Eastman School of Music. Another transition took us away from there to beautiful "OOooooook-lahoma where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...”

Transitions abound in life!

My life continues to surprise me with endless transitions. A typical musician, I tend to be quite sensitive and feel things strongly and intensely. I do not always remember that I have at my disposal the best resource for strength and stability. When challenging times bring me to a place where I have to face a move, whether major or minor, my tendency is to turn to fear and fretting. However, through it all, God shows me that I must trust Him as my Shepherd because He meets all my needs whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.  

He is a God who is interested in transforming me into His likeness. As I receive information (His Word), He guides me through a series of transitions (life experiences) which provide the formation (discipline/obedience to His Word) I need in order to become more like Him (transformation). 

Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), my workplace, is aiming at this goal of transformation in the lives of all involved with the university. Such a goal is targeted through “the pursuit of excellence, faith integration in all areas of knowledge, cultural and diversity engagement, and a lifestyle that is worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.” (OBU’s mission statement) 

What a tall order!

Yet, reflecting on such a monumental goal, I can see how it mirrors the Great Commission beautifully. Both statements lead those who live by them through some transitions that are difficult to swallow. However, God is in the big transitions as well as the small ones, and every transition is solely for His glory and higher purposes. 

Soli Deo Gloria! 

Personally, I am quite often faced with circumstances in life that require me to move on without lingering on what happened to me in a previous season. My life is peppered with disappointments, losses, rejections, failures – I know those too well – all of which can cause emotional breakdown. Yet, by the power of God's glorious might, I was bought with the ultimate price of Christ’s blood which has  granted me access to His limitless strength, enabling me to move on without pause to subsequent seasons of joy, restoration, and excitement. Despite the pain that often accompanies those hard moments I can experience fullness and joy because Christ strengthens me.

I know I am not alone in expressing those feelings. Most of us tend to be sensitive and emotional when the heat is on. Let us remember that we have at our disposal the best resource as described in Isaiah 43:1-3, 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. 

When you walk through the fire  (like Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-Nego), 

you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Segue is not a matter of “if;” it is a matter of “when.” In other words, change is inevitable. There will always be something new, something strange, something hard, something easy, something else for each person to face with each new day. It matters not how long and hard one fights to remain in the boat (where it is safe and familiar), the time will come to step out of it and trust that the Master is standing outside, willing and ready to lead, protect, and guide. That letting go requires a segue, a complete change of heart. 

Yet, this change of heart is hard and scary. At times, the very thought of changing my ways paralyzes me. Other times, I pretend that all is well and persist in my ways without taking the time to realize what is truly happening to me. 

God's Word reminds us that change is good because God has called us to join His program of complete transformation into Christ-likeness. In order for that to happen, we may have to face many storms that will move us out of our comfort zone. Those periods of transition are segue moments that are crucial to our spiritual development.  

Friends, I am not sure what your current transition is. It could be a break-up. It could be a new season of disappointment. It could be a discontinued position or the betrayal of a friend. It could be the heart-wrenching news of cancer or the horrific news of a suicide. However, know that at the end of your rope stands a God who is waiting to guide you, work in you, and transform you completely. Dare to segue under His watchful eye and "be transformed by the [daily] renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

Precious Jesus, I look forward to the changes that lie ahead of me and I am certain that, with You as my guide, many blessings will follow me wherever I go. Grant that I may keep my eyes fixed on You through all the transitions of my life. Amen!