Topic: Finishing Seasons Well – Daily Devotional by Proverbs 31 Ministries 29 JUNE 2023
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Finishing Seasons Well
JUNE 29, 2023
“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Deuteronomy 34:9 (ESV)
You’ve probably heard the advice to begin a project with the end in mind. I understand this sentiment, but sometimes it’s hard to see the end at the beginning … or even in the middle.
I’ve found that living our lives in faith means sometimes God calls us into places that don’t reveal the ending in the beginning. And so when something ends, it can often catch us off guard.
A few years ago, I interviewed a woman who had served for over 20 years in a well-known women’s ministry. She was transitioning out of this position, and I was curious to know how she was handling things.
There was definitely tension in the transition. On one hand, there was comfort in knowing that the woman who would fill her vacant position at the ministry was incredible. The new leader was full of fresh ideas, was so eager to learn, and wanted to carry forward the legacy of this ministry.
But the woman was sad too. Twenty years of relationships, dreams, visions, conferences, and times of fellowship with a phenomenal leadership team were hard to release. But she knew it was time to leave. When I asked her how she knew, she said, “God has confirmed it again and again.”
She had seen leaders hold on to things too long, and their teams and families suffered because of it.
There can be a scarcity mindset when someone’s season ends. It’s a type of thinking that convinces us there’s nothing better than what we had. And if that mindset isn’t dealt with, it can cause hard-to-repair problems.
In Deuteronomy 34, Moses was at the end of a season. He had spent the last 40 years leading the Israelites toward the promised land. But unfortunately, because of Moses’ decision to disobey God, he would not be the one to lead them into the land (Numbers 20). Joshua would.
“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:9).
This verse is a stunning reflection of what it means to finish something well. Moses accepted his season was over and passed the baton down to Joshua. He even laid hands on him in a posture of blessing.
After Moses disobeyed God, he could have become so bitter and broken and not finished well. He could have made things really hard for Joshua. But he knew there was more at stake than his own feelings of regret and disappointment.
The leader I interviewed didn’t begin her assignment of faith with an end in mind. But she was wise enough to know when it was time for her to end well. Now, several years later, that ministry is still running strong. And ultimately, that was the ending she had hoped for.
Based on his actions in Scripture, it seems Moses held the same sentiments for the Israelites: “Keep going, even without me.” And today, you and I can look at our lives in the same posture. There’s a time to begin and a time to end specific faith assignments or seasons in our lives. Staying close to God will help us discern our way there and keep the gospel moving forward from one generation to the next.
God, thank You for helping me finish all the seasons of my life well. Help me to lean in and listen for Your timing and pour into the people coming up behind me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
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