We all experience times of shift—literally and metaphorically. Have you ever wondered why? Sometimes, it’s the shift, change, or move from one season to the next. Sometimes, it’s a faith test designed to shift us. And sometimes it’s for our protection. For me, a former atheist, it was all three: an identify shift.

Shift as Protection

So the Lord shifted the wind to a very strong west wind, which picked up the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea; not one locust was left in all the territory of Egypt. Exodus 10:19 NASB

This story about the end of the Eighth Plague in Egypt—after Pharaoh begged Moses, and Moses prayed for the locusts’ removal—is a good example of how God answers prayers for protection. Yet, Pharaoh’s heart would again harden against the Israelites. Our memory of blessings can be short, even about disasters averted.

But my Uncle Leon never forgot God’s protection on one particular day when he was a teenager, growing up in northern Maine. On a dynamite job for his father, my uncle discovered the foreman had set far too much dynamite, and there was nothing anyone could do to change that. So, they lit the fuse and ran for cover. The blast shook the earth. While examining the impact after the dust had cleared, Uncle Leon heard a whistling sound from above. A huge rock from the blast landed right next to him. 

I’ve had plenty of close calls that I know about, though not as dramatic as Uncle Leon’s, and I’ll bet you have, too. Only God knows how many times He’s shifted to protect us. But the biggest protection shift we can experience is this belief, an unshifting, metaphorical boulder from on high: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV

Shift as Faith Test

if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:23 NIV

In Colossians 1:23, Paul encourages us to stay strong in our faith, to not shift away from the good news that is for everyone in the world. Including you and me.

Have you ever given testimony in a court of law? I did thirty-four years ago when the judge in my divorce case asked me to state my name (Carole Duff), whether I had minor children (I did), the legal grounds for divorce (irreconcilable differences), about property division (50-50), child custody (full custody for me), and child support. My lawyer showed evidence of our agreements. 

Standing in front of the judge and admitting my failure was humbling and acutely painful. But because of that test, I shifted from atheism to faith. Thereafter, the Spirit guided me to the gospel. 

Shift as Season Change

He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21 NIV

Daniel 2:21 is part of his prayer of praise to God, after He revealed King Nebuchadnezzar’s secret dream. What does this dream signify? God controls time and events; He has the power to empower or depose rulers; all true understanding comes directly from God.

After I retired from teaching in the third season of life fifteen years ago, I started writing. I wrote to think; I wrote to practice, I wrote to hold my feet to the fire. Mostly, I read and write and pray and seek wisdom. My faith journey, Wisdom Builds Her House, is the fruit of my third season identity shift. 

When God shifts Keith and me into our fourth and final season of life, these words from  Psalm 102:25-27 NIV will be in our hearts and minds: In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

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