“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“This is why you came here, to drive,” echoed in my spirit as I sat slumped in the company car, angry, discouraged, and wanting to quit. Two weeks prior, I was demoted from my office job as a lead/shift manager and back to driver. Honestly, I shouldn’t have been surprised, but still, it caught me off guard. The demotion wasn’t because I had violated company policy. Nor was I a bad employee, but in some people’s eyes, I was too nice, too soft, too John! And honestly, I was! They wanted more accountability with the drivers, and I didn’t want to babysit! So after two and a half years, they put me back in the driver’s seat: Take it or leave it. To many, this was considered the “Ultimate Demotion.” For me, it was embarrassing trying to explain how a grown-ass man lost his manager position and was now back to clicking seat belts. Not to mention the pay cut- ouch! I struggled with the decision and really thought of quitting, but I enjoyed driving; I loved working for the company, and driving was my therapy, and now I was reminded why I came here. To drive.
Back in the Driver’s Seat
In every moment of our lives, the shepherd still leads. Even in the darkest moments of pain and suffering, in our valley experience, He hasn’t forsaken us; He walks with us, leading, guiding, and comforting. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” The Lord knew the storm ahead and prepared me for its impact by placing me back where I belonged. Driving became a big part of my healing journey. It gave me moments of solitude to pray, reminisce, grieve, and find hope and encouragement in experiences and conversations that wouldn’t have been possible working in the office. What I viewed as the “Ultimate Demotion” became my backside-of-the-mountain blessing, as God helped me navigate grief and prepare me for my purpose.
So what does this all mean?
After killing an Egyptian, Moses fled Egypt and spent 40 years in exile in Midian as a shepherd. There, on the backside of the mountain, some 40 years later, in this lonely shepherd role, God revealed His purpose. The Lord appeared to him in a burning bush and instructed him to return to Egypt to lead his people out of slavery. This return to his past failure was necessary for him to fulfill his future calling as a leader. Moses’ 40 years of exile were God’s 40 years of preparation.
2023 was my Midian, my backside-of-the-mountain experience, my preparation. The lord allowed the “Ultimate Demotion” not only to prepare me for loss but also to serve as a catalyst that would later reveal my purpose. I was learning that I must be willing to follow the shepherd at all costs.
