A Divine Pivot.

pivot piv·​ot | \ ˈpi-vət

(in the context of basketball) stepping with one foot while keeping the other foot at its point of contact with the floor

We used to practice pivot a lot. I didn’t like it. There were many parts of basketball practice that I didn’t like and pivot was one of it. You look ridiculous when you practice it. You had to run from one end of the court to the other, purposely stop at a certain line. Spin around with a ball one foot and the other moved unmoved against a plastic cone, and then drive into a layup. If you miss the shot, you do it all over again — until you make the shot. 

One foot unmoved, and the other busy finding a way to go to the rim and score. Do I pass? Do I attack and layup? Do I step to the side and shoot? What will it be? 

I believe God is calling His people to practice our pivots, because the situation right now is far from ideal. We’re forced to enter into this different life dynamic that we never thought needed to exist to begin with. We’re cornered to redefine what it means to even be a functioning human being in a society that is not allowed to come together and be a society. And yet, in the midst of all of this, I believe God is calling all of us to push through to score, to get that ball to the rim no matter what. I believe God wants us to have that grit and tenacity in refusing to just give up the ball but to fight hard. To channel creative, new ways because what once worked no longer could. For what? For impact. For the sole purpose of telling people about this message of hope and love that the world so desperately need, whether they know it or not. 

One of my greatest fears for this season is not that the season won’t be over — because it will. But I fear that I will look back at this season with regrets of not having done enough, and not maximizing what I have in my hands to bring the impact that God has called me to bring. That we just allow this season to pass us by. Because it may seem like we are slowing down, but if we’re not intentional about making the most of the time in our hands, then it will pass us by just like every season of our lives — either because we’re too busy to be present, or we’re too chill to get up and actually do something. Are you seeing what this world has become? Humanity is so desperate for hope. For a glimpse of something certain, of a bright purpose and future. There has never been a greater time for the Church to be the Church. For God’s people to actually be His people. To love and serve and speak life.

A divine pivot. One foot unmoved — firm and rooted on hope. And the other busy finding a way to go to the rim and score — to create, inspire, be an impact. Do I pass? Do I attack and layup? Do I step to the side and shoot? What will it be? A song, a poem, a story, a gift? A prayer, a meal for a neighbor, a phone call? 

This is what we’re called to do. To make sure that we have one foot in God’s truth. To remain unmoved and unshaken, even when the whole world is in fear. To not  neglect our firm foundation, and instead make sure that we start every single day with the right perspective. And then we use our other foot to move, spin, be as creative as we could ever be. If you’re a teacher, teach. If you’re a musician, get busy honing your craft and share it for the greater good. If you’re a cook, cook for those neighbors who are losing their jobs. 

For me, my pivot looked like coming back to social media, to blogging, to connecting in ways that I never really preferred. It looked like opening up in ways that I never thought I should to people I never thought I would — and yet perhaps I should have, way sooner. And there’s still so much that I want to be a part of in this season. What are you going to do? What’s your divine pivot going to look like? What would you have to let go to make sure that you do what God has called you to do in this season? 

Right foot unmoved, the left one busy finding a way to go to the rim and score. Spin once, spin twice. Sway left, step back, jump shot. Score. 

- Lev.

PS: All this basketball talk got me thinking a lot about Kobe. I wonder how he would spend his quarantine. Still can’t believe he is gone. We miss you. Mamba Forever.