Have you ever created something? A dream? A business? A group? A class? Some children? You put your heart and soul into your creation. Blood, sweat, and tears poured into one thing. Then, all of a sudden, you feel it. You feel that pit in your stomach that’s telling you. “It’s time to pass the baton.”

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

We know God has plans for us. We walk boldly in this. We falter when we try too hard to figure out His “will” for our life and when He calls us to walk away. Walking away from something you know with all of your might God called you to do has got to be one of the most difficult things in this journey. You know you were called to this place. You gave everything to this moment. And now, He’s calling you away. To top it all of, He is most likely calling you away without next steps and another plan.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

The Lord doesn’t call us to knowing. He calls us to obedience. While His Word is a road map, it does not include destinations (other than Heaven). He tells us to commit our hopes, dreams, creations, and work to Him and He will establish us. In that establishment, we must trust His plan; even when next steps are unknown.

If you are anything like me, you like feeling like you have control. You also don’t like handing that control over to others. When you’ve created something, it becomes your baby. You are the only one who knows how to raise and care for it. Then, God steps in and tells us to hand it over.

Thankfully, God is patient. He doesn’t rip this thing right out of our hands and tell us to be on our way. Instead, He gives us a tiny whisper, a nudge, to plant the seed. Slowly but surely, we hear a constant ringing in our souls that it is time to pass the baton.

I am learning that if I don’t surrender, if I refuse to pass the baton, I am limiting much more than myself. I am holding back those God wants to put in my place. While God can grow the Kingdom with our without me, by holding onto what He is calling me to let go limits my impact for His Kingdom. When I am tight-fisted with what He is asking me to let go of, I am limiting His blessings for my life.

Passing the baton can feel scary, frustrating, maddening. You may question God wondering why He is telling you to walk away from something you know He called you to. You become judgy and just know you are the only one who can do this well. However, once you place the baton in the hand of your successor, freedom rushes in. Excitement for a new adventure becomes your focus. Blessings pour down.

God has called me to pass the baton. He stirred in my soul eight months ago. I have not done much kicking and screaming, but I will admit this isn’t easy. I want to hold onto what God has done and is doing through this. It is so very good. I want to add my touch and talents to this cause. I have a passion for this group beyond anything I have felt. I don’t have next steps. God hasn’t given me something to fill this void. He may never. What I do have, though, is an overwhelming sense of peace that walking away is exactly what He is calling me to right now.

The number one thing I keep hearing over and over is, “Get out of the way.” This isn’t harsh. This isn’t an unkind statement. This is truth. If I overstay in this space, I take an opportunity from someone else to walk into their calling and what God has for them. I take a gift away from another woman. I am not leading well if I don’t know how to pass the baton.

I remember when I walked away from teaching all those years ago it felt weird. I felt like I had lost a piece of my identity. When fall came and school started back up again, I felt the void deep. Yet, I knew my decision was exactly what I needed to do. I also knew that God would meet me in that space. Sure enough, He met me there and He met me in a far more powerful way than I would have ever thought. I can’t imagine what I would have missed had I not passed the baton.

When this ends, when I have to sit at home instead of go and do, I will feel a tinge of emptiness. I will have to sit in the void for a bit. But, I know that I know that I know that God will meet me there. I will stand strong in the void because I know He is in the void.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

It’s time to pass the baton.

Love & Blessings,

Meg