The following post is from Allison Tennyson, CBF’s director of human resources.

You may have noticed…CBF is in transition.  And, transitions are happening at the CBF Resource Center in Atlanta, where I serve as director of human resources. During the past few months we have said farewell to several of our colleagues, people who are a part of our office community. These individuals who are leaving our office are not disengaging from the wider CBF community, but they are no longer a part of our daily work here.

Times of transition tend to bring out a multitude of emotions for those of us in the midst of them. I began to think about what was said in the past when God’s people found themselves in the midst of transition.  One such time can be found in Deuteronomy 31. 

The Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land when they learned that Moses would not be going with them.  Joshua was taking the lead.  I don’t know how the people felt about this, but I’m sure there were a multitude of emotions.  Some were probably excited about Joshua and what the future held.  Some were probably apprehensive about the change.  After all, Moses had been with them in Egypt and throughout their wilderness journey.  But in the midst of transition, the people were reminded that it was God who would truly lead them, just as God had always led them. 

Last summer I watched a show called “Expedition Impossible”.  Three person teams competed through a series of challenges that included mountain climbing and repelling.  One of the teams was made up of three men, one of whom was blind, who had set out on this adventure together. 

In one challenge, they traveled in kayaks to the next checkpoint arranging themselves so that Erik, the blind man, was in the middle with the others giving verbal directions from before and behind.  During the challenge, they hit a series of rapids, and it doesn’t take long to realize that the water’s noise is preventing Erik from hearing anything else.  Now, he has no guidance; at least not any he can hear.  I watch as Erik continues to move forward, perhaps slower and more cautiously than before but still forward, until he exits the rapids and can hear his two friends still there and still calling out guidance and encouragement.

Erik is asked how he was able to make it through the rapids.  His answer resonated with me.  Erik explained that when he was in the rapids and couldn’t hear anything he just kept moving forward until he was out because he knew one friend was in front and one friend was behind him.  Even when he couldn’t hear them, he knew they were there.  

As you read this you may find yourself, professionally or personally, in calm water or in the midst of the rapids, pressing forward.  Regardless of where you find yourself this day, know that it is God who goes before you.

It is true that in recent days God has led several of my colleagues to new places of service.  It is also true that God is leading others to come and serve in this place.

So to this group of God’s people let me say, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8

God has done great things for us in the past and will continue to do great things in the future. Of this I am certain.

— Allison Tennyson