The Power of the Pivot
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (KJV)
In the quiet cell of the Bedford jail, John Bunyan's quill scratched across parchment, forming what would become one of Christianity's most enduring allegories. The preacher, silenced by imprisonment, found his voice through ink and paper. When the pulpit was taken from him, he did not cease his ministry—he pivoted.
The greatest ability in God's service is availability, but closely following is adaptability. When our carefully constructed plans crumble, when doors slam shut before us, the mature believer doesn't retreat in defeat but seeks new avenues of service. Spurgeon himself testified to this truth, declaring that when unable to preach through physical pain, he took up his pen to write books for Jesus, and when even that became impossible, he sought someone—anyone—with whom he could share his Master's message.
Consider David Brainerd, who when bedridden with the illness that would eventually claim his life, spent his final energies teaching a Native American child his letters so the young boy might one day read Scripture for himself. He declared, "If I cannot serve God one way, I will another. I will never leave off this blessed service."
The Bible is filled with such pivots. Joseph, sold into slavery and later imprisoned, never abandoned his faith. Instead, he embraced each new circumstance as an opportunity to serve. As he later told his brothers in Genesis 50:20 (KJV): "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
The Apostle Paul, confined to prison, penned epistles that have guided the church for centuries. His chains, rather than hindering the gospel, advanced it. "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel" (Philippians 1:12, KJV).
Too often, we approach God's service with conditions and limitations. We tell the Lord what we will do and what we won't, what gifts we'll use and which ones we'll keep tucked away. We imagine ourselves serving in particular ways, in specific places, with certain people—and when reality doesn't match our expectations, we grow discouraged.
Yet true service to God requires surrendering not just our availability but our preferences. It means saying, "Lord, here am I," without adding, "but only if..."
The pivots in our journey are not detours from God's plan but essential parts of it. When one door closes, we must look for the window God has opened. When one method becomes impossible, we search for alternatives. When we can no longer serve in ways that showcase our strengths, we humbly embrace new tasks that might reveal our weaknesses—and God's sufficiency.
Perhaps today you face an unexpected change in your ministry or service. Maybe illness has confined you, relationships have shifted, or opportunities have vanished. Remember the power of the pivot. Your circumstances may change, but your calling remains. Your methods may evolve, but your mission continues.
Like Bunyan, when you cannot preach, perhaps you can write. Like Brainerd, when you cannot go, perhaps you can teach. Like Spurgeon, when one avenue of service closes, perhaps another awaits your discovery.
Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.
https://linktr.ee/rttbros
