There's Power In The Pivot
Download MP3Welcome to a place of peace, hope, and divine encouragement. This is Joy In Every Step with your host, beloved preacher, retired teacher, and faithful servant of the Lord, elder Sarita Bernadette. Long before podcasting existed, a promise was spoken. That one day, Sarita's voice would bring comfort, clarity, and understanding through the word of God. Years later, when God opened the door, Sarita took the next step in faith.
Introduction:What began as a leap of faith has become a weekly invitation to walk more closely with God, discover the joy found in his word, and receive fresh revelation for every step of the journey. Whether you're walking through the valleys or standing on the mountaintops, Sarita's heartfelt messages will guide you back to God's promises with wisdom, warmth, and the gentle reminder that He cares deeply for you. So open your heart, settle your spirit, and take the next step in faith with Joy In Every Step.
Sarita Bernadette:Hi, I'm Sarita Bernadette and welcome back to Joy In Every Step. I'm glad you're here. The past two episodes were focused on examining our hearts and our speech. For many of us that means turning inward and making some changes. There's so much going on in the world and it can be all consuming, I know.
Sarita Bernadette:In turbulent times like these, the Lord will give us a nudge and remind us of his sovereignty and I'm grateful for that. He is still on the throne beloved. No matter what it looks like, he still reigns. Six years ago our world was forever changed. Many of us became intimately acquainted with what it means to Pivot.
Sarita Bernadette:Within two weeks we found ourselves developing new ways to get things done, right? From the Topical Encyclopedia we get this definition. In the context of biblical literature and theology the concept of pivots can be understood as critical turning points or moments of significant change that alter the course of events or the direction of a narrative. These pivotal moments often reflect divine intervention, human decision making, or a combination of both, and they play a crucial role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout scripture. So in a spiritual context a pivot is a divine redirection.
Sarita Bernadette:It's when you let your faith lead you away from bad habits, old fears and those plans that are no longer relevant. It's when you allow the master to show you a new way. Let's talk about the children of Israel for a bit here. God frequently expressed both his unique love for them and his frustration with them. As you know the nation of Israel cycled through periods of rebellion, remorse and reconciliation.
Sarita Bernadette:These were God's chosen people and yet they often focused on other things. They got distracted. They became enmeshed in the culture around them and they even worshipped other gods. In the forty eighth chapter of Isaiah, God gave the people a prophetic word about their future captivity and subsequent deliverance. He did that so that the people would not credit their idols for bringing them out and giving them their freedom.
Sarita Bernadette:Isaiah 4eight 17, This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Beloved, the God who rescued his people from Egypt long, long ago is the same God who has graciously redeemed you and me. The spirit of the Lord who led his chosen ones through the desert provided them with manna bread from heaven and parted the Jordan so they could enter into the promised land is the same one who is teaching and training us today. Yes, in the Old Testament we read a great deal about the disobedience of the nation of Israel.
Sarita Bernadette:We've all heard it, but we know that they were not alone. There are additional accounts of people refusing to follow the leading of the sovereign God throughout the Bible. Heavy sigh. Beloved, I believe one of the reasons people resist obeying the Lord is because it can be uncomfortable. It can be inconvenient and a bit scary.
Sarita Bernadette:Well I guess that's three reasons, isn't it? When the Lord tells us to do something new, our instinct is to ask for more information because we want to know if it's going to cause us temporary pain or maybe cause us to lose something. Pivoting isn't always easy. We get comfortable where we are even when we know we don't belong there. Isaiah 4three eighteen-nineteen reads, Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.
Sarita Bernadette:I am about to do a new thing. Now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The historical context of that verse is so rich.
Sarita Bernadette:God is speaking to the Israelites and telling them not to think about a past miracle of escape. He says, Look, I'm doing another one. This one will be even better. Hear me with your spirit beloved, lean into the pivot. Don't let the scaries stop you.
Sarita Bernadette:Joshua one:nine reminds us, I hereby command you be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Fear not beloved, the Lord is with you. As I was working on this episode I was reminded of this sound that I love to hear. I get treated to it during the months of November through March every year.
Sarita Bernadette:Some of you know what I'm talking about. It's college basketball. That's college basketball season during those months and the sound is sneakers on the hardwood. It's this high pitched squeak as the players work their way around the floor. They keep one foot firmly planted on the floor at times as they figure out their next move.
Sarita Bernadette:It's their way of staying anchored. They don't want to get called for traveling. And trust me that pivoting can be hard on the legs and the knees if you're not in good shape. If you haven't had a lot of practice that pivoting can be painful. Beloved the spiritual pivot is easier when we remain anchored in the Lord.
Sarita Bernadette:When we get more practice, we get better at it. As we move on to the next, we have to maintain our faith through reading the word, prayer, and worship. And just like a basketball player looks ahead and sees that the direction in which they were headed isn't the best option, we need to be open to a new way as well. That move that way might have worked in the past but if you realize the old way of doing things doesn't serve you or help you to grow, you need to pivot. Proverbs sixteen:nine, The human mind plans the way but the Lord directs the step.
Sarita Bernadette:The steps. Beloved, we can strategize and we can make choices for our lives all we want to but the ultimate authority, God Almighty determines the final outcome. Pivoting is a sign of strength and spiritual maturity. It signifies your ability to trust in the one who knows all. Remember Proverbs three:five-six, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight.
Sarita Bernadette:In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. God will show you the way. And this part is important. Just because your plan didn't work out doesn't mean you failed, it means you learned. And sometimes a pivot may be a small adjustment.
Sarita Bernadette:For instance, you may be guided to a specific area of focus in order to move forward in your career or it may be that God is just guiding you to change careers altogether. In any event, there's power in the pivot. He knows the plans he has for us, right? We're always learning. We're always learning.
Sarita Bernadette:God's plans are good. Let's call a New Testament witness for our topic today. His transformation is nothing short of amazing. Acts chapter nine tells the story of how he went from being a persecutor of the church to a founding apostle of the Christian church. We're talking about Paul of course.
Sarita Bernadette:No doubt you're familiar with this story and briefly I'll just sum it up. Paul was born as Saul in Tarsus around five BC. He was educated in Jerusalem under the renowned rabbi named Gamaliel. Paul was a Roman citizen by birth and he spoke Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. He worked vigorously to arrest members of the early church and was present at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Sarita Bernadette:On his way to Damascus to imprison more Christians, he experienced a vision of the risen Jesus on that road. The vision blinded him. He regained his sight three days later after being prayed for by a man named Ananias. He began using his Roman name Paul to better reach non Jewish or Gentile communities. Paul went on extensive missionary journeys throughout Asia Minor and Greece and he planted a number of early Christian churches.
Sarita Bernadette:And then there's this part. He authored 13 epistles in the New Testament which have become a large part of the foundation of our Christian faith. Now that's one powerful pivot, wouldn't you agree? Note this very important part of his story. When Jesus confronted Paul on that road, his immediate response was surrender and compliance because he asked, Who are you Lord?
Sarita Bernadette:Listen to how he addressed him, with respect. And when Jesus identified himself, Paul's response was, What shall I do, Lord? Lord, what do you want me to do? And this detail of the encounter is so significant. Paul was temporarily blinded and had to be led by the hand into Damascus.
Sarita Bernadette:Think about what that tells us. His arrogance and independence disappeared in that moment. He had to rely on the hand of God. Joshua one and three, the voice reads, I will give you every place you walk, wherever your feet touch, just as I promised Moses. Again he's the same God beloved.
Sarita Bernadette:He gave Paul the victory in the end and he gave his children of Israel the victory in the end and he will provide the victory for us when we in faith make that pivot. The ability to submit to God and move as he leads boosts our Godfidence. There's power in the pivot. This is Joy In Every Step. I'm Sarita Bernadette and I'm grateful you chose to spend some time here with me.
Sarita Bernadette:Feel free to share this episode with someone you know would appreciate it. You can find Joy In Every Step wherever you listen to your podcasts and give us a follow there. Do check out the website at joyineverystep.org. See you next time.
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