Pivot, Pivot, Pivot: Like Moses in the Desert.
This week I have been engaged in a number of conversations where church, civic, and business leaders are trying yet again to adapt to another set of prescribed Covid regulations aimed at reducing the current spike in outbreaks. California is calling it a “roll back”, Oregon is calling it a “freeze”, and Washington has yet to devise a clever name. This morning, in a planning meeting tasked with developing a plan for an upcoming ministry event, I heard the term “pivot” a number of times. As I thought about pivoting, it hit me that once you’ve pivoted enough, you’re simply spinning in circles. And for many of us, that is exactly what this season feels like.
As I worked to stay engaged in yet another Zoom meeting, I was reminded of Moses and the Israelites in the desert. The people of Israel were rescued by the hand of God as He used Moses to lead the people out of exile in Egypt and back into the promise land. Plagues, pestilence, and a bunch of other “p” words preceded Pharoah letting the people go. Finally they began the Exodus. Interestingly, this is where the first pivot happens. Exodus 13:17 “God did not lead them on a road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God Said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’”
Pharoah catches wind of their journey and had yet another change of mind. Egypt, now in hot pursuit of the Israelites witnesses the great power of the Almighty God. Israel comes toe to toe with a large body of water and God does the unthinkable, he parts the sea. As the Israelites cross on dry ground the Egyptians are washed up on shore. The promised deliverance became a reality.
So, what did the people of Israel do? It would be totally believable if they faithfully entered the promise land and celebrated God’s miraculous provision and deliverance…Yet, that’s not how history unfolded. A golden calf, complaining stomachs, and moldy manna sprinkle the story of how the Israelites quickly forgot their deliverance. God is faithful to His promise, but He delays the journey in an effort to draw their hearts back to him. The journey of the Exodus became a long backpacking trip of walking in circles in the desert…pivot, pivot, pivot.
And here’s the parallel: as we pivot on repeat, there is an opportunity for each of us to remember God’s deliverance and turn our hearts in full devotion to the one who went to the greatest of lengths to capture them. God made Jesus, who knew no sin to become sin. Taking on our punishment, he died for us and rose again to give us new life. This deliverance is the greatest miracle of history. And God has made this available to you and me. And yet we pivot, pivot, pivot, in the desert of life: attaching our hope to human schemes, distracting our hearts with constant noise, and scrolling our way through the echo chambers of technology.
I wonder what would happen if we viewed the shifting of regulations as a gift. A pause as an opportunity to Sabbath. It’s an opportunity to grow in self-awareness. It’s even an opportunity to do some of the deep abiding work that Jesus wants to do in our souls, without the angst of pushing towards fruitfulness (John 15).