By Dawn Taloyo, Director of Pastoral and Congregational Health, PacNWC
“Pivot” seems to be my new favorite word. It well describes the relentless need these days to switch things up, change course, be adaptable and flexible. A quick look at synonyms for “pivot” is revealing. Turning to Merriam-Webster’s online thesaurus I read “revolve, roll, swing, swirl, swivel, twist, whirl.” No wonder I feel dizzy and tired! How about you?
I feel immense respect and gratitude for our Covenant pastors, chaplains, leaders and churches for the persistent pivoting; the twisting and turning and adapting and learning required in this ever-changing, all-hands and hearts-on-deck, racial-reckoning and covid-pandemic season. As one Covenant pastor in Yakima said in a recent Zoom meeting, “We now know this isn’t a snowstorm but a winter.”
Yes, and maybe that’s why our conference staff team is sensing a new wave of “tired” among our clergy and leaders. You can only swing and twist and pivot so long before needing to lie down and get your sense of gravity and stability back. I suggest, the counterpoint to “pivot” is “stillness”.
Be still and know that I am God. -Ps 46:10
He leads me beside still waters. -Ps 23:2
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. -Ps 37:7
This summer I am facilitating two clergy book clubs, both discussing The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero. An early chapter is titled, ‘Slow Down for Loving Union.’ (Now slow down and go back to repeat that title a few times. Good job.) In this chapter, Scazzero reminds us that “…every action Jesus took was rooted in a place of deep rest and centeredness out of his relationship with God.” [emphasis mine] And, Scazzero offers the following checklist:
You know you’re not experiencing loving union when you…
- Can’t shake the pressure you feel from having too much to do in too little time
- Are always rushing
- Routinely fire off quick opinions and judgments
- Are often fearful about the future
- Are overly concerned with what others think
- Are defensive and easily offended
- Are routinely preoccupied and distracted
- Consistently ignore the stress, anxiety and tightness in your body
- Feel unenthusiastic or threatened by the success of others
- Routinely spend more time talking than listening
The invitation? Slow down. Slow down for loving union with our God who calms the storms, stills the waters, and makes passageways through the rivers. How can I slow the spinning down?
- Take a walk and listen for the birds.
- Read Psalm 46 a few times every day for a week.
- Place a chair in front of a window or find a beautiful card or piece of art to stop and give yourself permission to just gaze for 10 minutes a day.
- Call a friend (instead of Zoom) who helps you to laugh.
I imagine the need and ability to pivot will continue for some time. But, just as important is the pausing and resting. I’d rather move like a ballet dancer who concludes the pirouette with grace and purpose, than like a twirling child who dizzily staggers and falls to the ground.
So, I invite you to take a moment now…
Recognize the spinning.
Slow it down.
Put the other foot down.
Steady yourself.
Breathe.
Be still.