S16 E16 - Life Transitions with Chris Benzinger (Part 2)

In this episode, we conclude our conversation on life transitions with Michelle’s husband, Chris Benzinger. We focus on the second and third steps in walking through transitions: releasing with trust and redeeming with hope. We talk about God wanting to redeem our past, the need to let go of the ways we’ve failed, and how God wants to do something new in the future. We also reflect on the importance of ceremony to conclude a season, the four responses to a loss, and why we should share our hopes for the future with God.

 

Heather’s One Thing - Return to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of St. Augustine's Confessions by Dr. Shane Owens

Sister Miriam’s One Thing -  Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

Michelle’s One Thing - Belovedness: Overcoming Your Inner Critic - A Lyrical Devotional by Sarah Kroger

Chris’ One Thing - Running a 5k with his daughter Lilly 

 

Journal Questions:

• What was good about the previous season of my life? Am I grieving or still carrying hurts? 
• What is God specifically asking me to release from this past season? 
• In this next season of my life, what is one thing God is making new?
• What is one hope I have for this next season of my life?

 

Creative Prompt:

• Take a bookmark and decorate it with your hopes for the next season and place it in your Bible. It will serve as a reminder in the next chapter of your life.

 

Discussion Questions:

• Reflect back upon the past few years and choose one big or small transition in your life. 
  • What is one thing you are grateful for in the past season of your life?
  • What is God calling you to release with trust from that past season?
  • As you look to this current season, what action can you take to ceremonialize the end of an old season and create the foundation for a new season?
• Are you able to name what you desire? Why or why not?
• How are you responding to loss in your current season of life?
• What is something new God is doing in the current season of your life?

 

Quote to Ponder:

“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not. See I am doing something new. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18)

 

Scripture for Lectio:

“But now thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; and you are mine.