This past week, I had some opportunities to make a Godly pivot, a conscious decision to stop going around in circles—especially when something isn’t working—and turn in a new direction: God’s.
In one situation, I asked myself, “Why is my old behavior not working?” and in another, “Is this decision working for me?” It’s easy to say to myself, “Well, I am who I am,” to avoid a necessary change. But pivot changes are exactly what God challenges us to do every day. And although there aren’t hard-and-fast rules about Godly pivots, they tend to begin with repentance, move towards transformation, and land in trust.
A Repentance Pivot
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19 NIV
While celebrating our wedding anniversary last week, Keith and I reminisced about our experiences and growth together. After the failure of my first marriage, which was based on nothing except atheism, and since our blessed remarriage twenty years ago, I’ve been learning about Christian faith. I thought I was making progress in becoming a Christian wife, until one day, the feminist humor of my atheist youth came out of my mouth. Twice. Much to my embarrassment and Keith’s dismay. Why was my old behavior not working?
To find some answers, I decided to read about feminism, particularly the work of Christian philosopher Dr. Carrie Gress. I soon realized that I needed to pivot, to repent, to mend my ways with kindness.
In Acts 3:19, the Apostle Peter calls the crowd in Jerusalem to repent and turn to God. Repentance results in the forgiveness of sins and brings spiritual renewal. Grace. The Godly pivot.
A Transformation Pivot
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
I’ve been watching over an elderly neighbor for several years now, checking in on him almost daily and walking dogs—his and mine. Crises, when they occur as one did last Friday, don’t always have satisfying or rewarding results. At those times, I ask myself, “Is this decision working for me?” or should I step away. After praying about this frustrating situation—frustrating for my neighbor, his family, and me—I realized I was thinking only about myself, and that walking away would be conforming to the pattern of this world. I needed to pivot, to renew my mind, to choose loving my neighbor as myself, even when difficult. To transform. Because God’s way is transformative.
Romans 12:2 challenges believers not to let society shape their behavior, as feminism had to an unwitting me. Instead, Paul urges people to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This inward transformation pivot allows us to live out God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will.” To keep checking on our neighbors and walking their dogs.
A Trust Pivot
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
In church yesterday morning, one of the music directors handed a copy of “American the Beautiful” to the instrumentalists. “Let’s see if we can play this for the prelude,” she said, “for July 4th and the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country, coming up on Saturday.” The music wasn’t difficult, but the flute part was often exposed, the lead melody, and the last pitch was a high A. Any wrong note on my part would be obvious. And I’m not a particularly good sight-reader.
“Well, I am who I am,” I muttered to myself nervously. Then I embraced the trust pivot, Proverbs 3:5-6, and prayed—a trust pivot. “You’re going to have to help me, Lord. If I try to do this by myself, I’ll mess up, forget the key change, and let the worship team down. I trust You. I submit to Your will. Guide me on Your path. Whatever happens will be fine.”
And it was, including a crystal-clear high A.
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