Now you’re ready. Everything is in place. This is what you were made for. It’s time to pull the trigger then… nothing.
Nothing works; obstacles come from all directions, and what seemed like destiny looks like it was all a huge mistake.
The good news is you’re right on track. Disruption is a necessary part of creation and will come to test and sharpen you. Now is not the to fold.
Patterns Of Disruption
In trying to make sense of the world, it’s important to learn to recognize patterns. The fact that disruption follows every great endeavor is real and documented. When it’s happening to you it might feel personal. It isn’t. But it is. Obstacles will be in your path because you chose to move outside the bounds of the masses. The only way out is through.
Abraham
- Intention: God called Abraham to leave his homeland and promised him as many children as stars in the sky (Genesis 12:1-3).
- Disruption: Abraham went years without even one child. He faced doubts about God’s promise, and dealt with famine and conflicts with neighboring kings.
- Outcome: Abraham’s faith led to the birth of his son Isaac, fulfilling God’s promise. He became the foundation for a great nation.
George Washington
- Intention: George Washington sought to lead the American colonies to independence from British rule.
- Disruption: His army had no supplies, there were political issues, and many men died. The brutal winter at Valley Forge symbolized the cost of the revolution.
- Outcome: Through resilience and strategic leadership, Washington secured American independence. He become the first president and was known as the father of our nation.
Elon Musk
- Intention: Elon Musk has a vision of the world; Sustainable energy and interplanetary colonization
- Disruption: Musk faced repeated setbacks, from near bankruptcy at Tesla and SpaceX to public criticism and technological challenges. Early SpaceX launches failed, and Tesla faced production delays that threatened its survival.
- Outcome: Musk redefined industries by making electric vehicles mainstream and producing reusable rockets. Persistence through disruption leads to groundbreaking achievements.
You can see that the patterns of disruption aren’t reserved just for spiritual journeys. Every path of any significance will experience disruptions. If you meet them head-on, they’ll have opportunities for growth, refinement, and preparation for what’s ahead.
Into the Fire
Disruptions are always annoying and, many times, painful. If you learn to see them for what they are they can be a stepping stone past plateaus.
Where are the weak links in your plan? Challenges have a way of exposing weaknesses that would otherwise be hidden. When you overcome your weaknesses and wrong assumptions, you get stronger.
Even The Lord faced disruption (from our limited perspective) in the garden. He had created a good world and mankind to enjoy it with Him. When sin came in, that perfection was marred.
God was not surprised by this.
Disruption and chaos have been allowed even into God’s perfect creation in a way that we may never understand.
And God’s plans for us also feature disruption. It isn’t an anomaly; it’s part of the process.
Be a Student of Chaos
The key to overcoming disruption is to welcome the challenge. Use it as a learning experience and get everything you can from it.
Challenges can also be a confirmation that you’re on the right path.
Joseph was a shepherd boy living in the West Bank. He would rise to rule over all the known world, second only to the Pharaoh. His leadership brought hundreds of thousands of people through a severe seven-year famine.
How does that even happen? It started with a vision. Joseph had a vision of who he was to become. He saw his father and mother and his brothers all bowing down to him.
From the moment he shared that vision, disruption began.
His brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. As a slave to a high-ranking Egyptian official, he excelled and became the head of the estate.
This official’s wife took a liking to him, and when Joseph refused her advances, she accused him of sexual assault! Those accusations landed him in prison. More disruption.
Despite his situation, he became a trusted steward of the prison warden. When God showed him the dreams of some of the prisoners, he came into contact with the Pharaoh.
Joseph was a diligent and wise administrator, but his gift didn’t move him as far as the disruptions did. If not for being sold into slavery and even the false rape charge, Joseph would never have come into the vicinity of vision.
The only viable path was a very hard road.
From the moment he received God’s vision for his life, Joseph faced chaos and disruption. But it was by faith that he was able to persevere to the place of his dreams.
The Way Forward
Awareness:
- Disruption is a natural part of fulfilling your purpose. Instead of fearing it, see it as an opportunity to make huge leaps in progress.
- By understanding the patterns of disruption you can prepare mentally and spiritually.
Be Intentional:
- Set clear intentions despite the chaos. Joseph never abandoned his vision, even when his circumstances seemed to contradict it.
- Focus on taking faithful steps toward your purpose instead of the size of the disruption.
- Find Inspiration:
- Like God’s Spirit moving over the waters (Genesis 1:2), find sources of inspiration that can guide you through dark times.
- Look at the lives of the great men who went before you and the struggles that propelled them to live out their purpose.
Get Revelation:
- Disruption often leads to revelation—new insights and perspectives. Pay attention to what God might be teaching you through challenges.
- Joseph’s time in prison revealed his gift for interpreting dreams. No time is wasted, even if you’re feeling stuck. Let the Lord reveal your gifts to you.
- Still Your Mind:
- Disruption is inevitable, but your response determines the outcome. Become resilient by staying disciplined, maintaining faith, and trusting God’s timing.
In The World But Not of The World
Disruption is not a barrier but a tool that God uses to refine, redirect, and position us for greater purpose. Embrace it as a necessary part of your journey.
Action Steps:
- Evaluate areas of your life where disruption may be preparing you for something greater.
- Stay faithful, grateful, and joyful through the process.
- Trust that, like Joseph, your purpose will emerge more clearly as you navigate the challenges.
