Lean into the disruption

Ben Marshall March 24, 2020

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With all the chaos, we can choose to be the leaders God has called us to be. We can be the ones continually communicating the hope of Jesus Christ, the peace of God, the sovereignty of God.

Our daily lives have been upended by disruption. What if we choose to lean into it?

How might we lean into it?

First, reconcile the fact that things simply are not the same (and that’s OK). 

There’s no time for denial. The world we live in is going to be fundamentally different a couple of months from now. Honestly, it already is. This is the year, 2020, that everything changed. It’s a new beginning. For better or worse we are at a turning point. We can accept that or deny it.

It can be frightening and yet, surprisingly encouraging. We are in the throes of needing to do things very differently. 

Schools have transitioned online; many workers have gone mobile; others are out of work and in need. People are banding together, setting up funds, reaching out, serving, caring about their neighbors. 

Things are not the same as they used to be. There’s no going back. Instead, let’s embrace the change, look for how we can lead differently, with different modes and methods and mediums. 

Second, ask yourself, When I look back at my reaction, what do I hope to see?

The decisions we make over the next few months will define our leadership and the impact we're able to have on other people. Leaders speak into crisis and point toward hope and faith. We have a platform God has given. We must speak His message. We must continually point people to the Rock, the Foundation, the Chief Cornerstone.  

Leaders must speak and leaders must lead. When we are on the other side of the pandemic, what will you look back and see?  

Third, we must live in sacrificial service toward others. 

This will look different for each of us. For some, this may mean going to minister in people’s homes. It may mean putting oneself at risk for the spiritual condition of someone. 

For others, this may mean working mobile, being home, isolating. For some, this may mean financially supporting those who are without a paycheck but still have bills to pay. There will be no shortage of needs from those around us. We must be willing to step in not just with words, but with actions.

Lean into the disruption.

Things will not go back to normal as we have known. We are too far into this. Everything has changed. In this disruption, we can find a renewed vision and hope. God is at work recalibrating, reprioritizing, reminding...let’s follow His lead. 

Photo source: istock 

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Ben Marshall is a Pastor at Pathway Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He works with teenagers and young adults. He is passionate about leadership and raising up the next generation of biblical leaders. He is a blogger, guitar player and sports enthusiast. Ben currently resides in Beaver Falls with his wife Connie and their two daughters, Aliya and Sophie Learn More »

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