We have all had to pivot one way or another these past years when the worldwide pandemic hit. Sometimes God causes us to pivot and shift directions so that we go where He wants us to go. Other times it seems the universe is determined to throw a monkey wrench into our God- purposed plans.
The good news is that when life throws us monkey wrenches, we can rely on the words Joseph spoke to his brothers.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” Genesis 50:20
God is with you every step you take and He is determined to fulfill His purposes through you. The group in Venice for Soaring With God to New Destinations experienced God overcoming man’s monkey wrench at the very outset of the conference.
What the picture can’t show is the noise of the location we were in. We had not been told that the corner of the restaurant reserved for us would be noisy with a Friday night fish fry and outdoor live music. I admit, my idea for the night seemed to evaporate when we arrived to set up.
But God.
In Joshua chapter 3, the Children of Israel are ready to enter the Promised Land. The obstacle before them is the Jordan River. God gives Joshua specific instructions to have the priests life the Ark of the Covenant—symbolizing God’s Presence—and step into the river.
Consider God’s instructions to Joshua
“ It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap.” Joshua 3:13
The result:
“And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.” Joshua 3:17
What does the story in Joshua have to do with monkey wrenches the enemy or the world throw at you?
Keep walking forward and rely on God’s Presence to do the work.
In Venice, as I waited for the Lord to show me how to handle the situation, He overcame the noise. I gathered the 12 people assembled at that time and I was able to speak what the Lord had given me. I marveled as the photographs showed a Heavenly lit gathering with no apparent distraction from the noise.
God sheltered us under the shadow of His wing and we all felt His Presence.
The moral of the story is when life, the universe, or the enemy of your soul throws a monkey wrench into the work you are doing, allow the Lord to pick it up and use it as a tool to propel you forward in your journey of identity and purpose.
We can’t expect that we will never experience man-made pivots.
We can expect and rely on God to take what is intended for distraction, hindrance, and harm and use it for our good in order to bring about God’s intended result.
Hallelujah!