Repositioning

With everything that has happened in 2020 and the current pandemic, there has been a lot of change. Much of the change has been due to safety regulations and the need to do things differently in order to maintain some kind of normality. In other words, some of the changes we faced have not been the result of our own choices.

Change is often uncomfortable because it requires effort on our part to adapt to the ‘new’ thing. The ‘known’ thing is always more comfortable than the ‘new’ thing. According to the dictionary and thesaurus, to ‘reposition’ is to change position or direction, to move, shift, dislodge, re-locate or transfer. God has always been in the business of changing position and direction for the better, often needing to ‘dislodge’ us from our comfort zones and set ways.

All through the Bible God has used change to catapult people into the new thing He had in mind. He instructed Abram to pack up his family and leave his home in Ur to go to a place God would show him (Genesis 12). He was not given a map or even a hint as to where this place would be. Yet, he obeyed God, and became the father of nations and an ancestor to the Messiah, Jesus.

Joseph was his father Jacob’s favourite son, causing his older brothers to be intensely jealous of him. When the opportunity presented itself, he was sold by his brothers into slavery, taken to Egypt, and eventually thrown into jail, as he refused to compromise his purity. Only much later was he promoted to a place of authority as the second in charge to Pharaoh (Genesis 37-50).

Gideon was called out of a place of hiding and fear to lead God’s people to gain a miraculous victory over their oppressive enemy, against huge odds (Judges 6:1-7:25).
All the disciples of Jesus were called to follow Him, without knowing exactly what this would entail, or what it would ultimately cost them. All of these people left the ‘known’ thing for the ‘new’ thing God was calling them to.

Circumstances around us have changed significantly and it may require us to step into unknown territory so we can be repositioned for the ‘next’ thing God has prepared for us. Isaiah 1:19 says,‘If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land’. Abram could have refused to leave his settled, wealthy life in his hometown, Ur. Joseph could have become bitter and vengeful because of the injustice done to him. Gideon could have chosen to remain in the safety of the winepress, where he was trying to secure his crops from the enemy’s raiding parties. The disciples of Jesus could have played it safe, and not followed Him. In every case, the ‘known’ thing would have kept these men contained and ineffective in the greater plan God had for them and the generations to come.

We have no idea what the future holds, but we know Jesus Christ – the One who is ‘the same yesterday, today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8). He never changes, yet He is always moving! He knows the end from the beginning, and, if we know Him – truly know Him – we will obey and step into the ‘new’ thing God has for us. We will have confident trust in Him, knowing that He will cause our obedience to bear fruit for His Kingdom. If we are willing and obedient, there is no telling how God could use us to impact our families, friends, neighbours, communities, and ultimately, generations to come.

Perhaps you would like to pray the following prayer with me.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You know the end from the beginning, and that You are faithful and constant amidst uncertainties and change. I am willing to be a vessel in Your hand in this season full of uncertainties, to make a difference in the lives of those You bring across my path. Lord, please help me see and walk in the ‘new thing’ that You are going to unfold at this time. I trust in You, Lord. Amen.