PIVOT

Early in my career, I had the responsibility of leading a team through what seemed to be a never-ending season of change.  It felt like just as we started to make progress in one direction or area of service, “the system” would declare new standards or expectations that often felt like impossibilities.  As the senior member of staff, it fell to me to set the tone for the introduction of this new challenge.  Over time, staff started to dread when I would declare “Okay team, we have another opportunity for growth and change.”  What this practically meant was we had to rethink how we worked – we had to pivot and still manage to meet the needs of those we served.  Many times I felt the tangible dread and exhaustion of these mid-course corrections.  Unfortunately I also often took the strong reactions of my staff personally. 

The opportunity to pivot can show up in many ways.  Disappointments often contain many of these because they resonate not only with powerful feelings and expectations, but because at some level they also connect with the core of who we are and how we see ourselves in relationship with God and those around us.  One of my favorite examples of this is the story of Elijah when he had to pivot following his interactions with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 19.  Here is some backstory: The Lord told Elijah to interact with King Ahab and many of his prophets who served Baal about who’s God was the one true God.  There was a challenge and then, long story short, Elijah’s God won the day by consuming not only the offering, but all of the water and the stones that the offering was placed on.  Following the death of all of Baal’s prophets at the had of Elijah, King Ahab told his wife, Jezebel, and she threatened to hunt down and kill Elijah because of it.

After this awesome victory, Elijah must have been on an emotional high and then – whamo – his life is threatened.  He is so overcome by this that he actually becomes suicidal and runs into the desert.  PIVOT.  In his exhaustion he cries out to God, announces his deathwish and collapses under a juniper tree.  But God doesn’t abandon Elijah or shame him.  He sends an angel to minister to him, not once but twice.  This angel brings baked bread and fresh water then encourages him to eat and rest. PIVOT.  Fourty days later, we find Elijah in a cave.  God asks him to reflect, “Why are you here Elijah?” PIVOT.  I wonder how many times I, like Elijah, get so caught up in the swirl that I forget Who I can lean into.

And so, my dear friend, when you find yourself in the midst of “an opportunity for growth and change,” pause and listen.  Take a nap.  Enjoy a healthy meal.  Allow others to minister to your soul.  This just might be a Divine Invitation.