(East) Right – Will this path bring the spectacular sunrises and new dawning for which we are seeking? You might initially think that turning right or East is similar to turning West. But East and West are complete opposites. You can travel North and eventually you will be travelling South. The world is round and North eventually becomes South. However, you can travel East and never reach a point where you will be travelling West. The two never meet. The two are opposites.
Turning left or west will lead your organization on a venture where few or no one has traveled before. Traveling East on the other hand may be new territory for your organization, but if it is based on proven principles and your organizations core values, it can lead to beautiful vistas and fruitful ministry.
When we think of East we think of beautiful sunrises and the dawning of new days. This may sound good for your organization. After all, who does not like the idea of the dawning of a new day and a beautiful sunrise? However, not all days come with beautiful sunrise vistas, do they? As I am writing this I am looking out my window at a cold, dreary, misty, gray day. The sun may have come up this morning, but it was not within my view. The question we must ask of turning East, “Will this path bring the spectacular sunrises and new dawning for which we are seeking?”
If you want to kill the morale of any organization, take that organization in a direction that ends in peril. Even if the organization survives the directional change, it most likely will not survive the plunge in morale. Many leaders have led the charge to directional change by promising beautiful vistas and spectacular sunrises that they were not able to supply. Most of those leaders have led a short tenure. Choose wisely.
(South) U-turn – Should we return to what we know is safe? Turn around, go back and live in the past (familiar territory). People are most comfortable within the confines of what is familiar. Facing the unknown brings apprehension, anxiety, and nervousness. The apparent safest directional change at any intersection is to turn around and return on the same path you have been traveling. It appears to be the safest because it is the only route that we know something of. It is the only path we have traveled, so we may know where the bumps and curves are. Any of the other directional changes lead us to unfamiliar territory.
The impediment here is the path we have traveled has led us to this crossroad. The question becomes, Has it produced the outcomes we anticipated on the journey? If we are at this particular crossroad because we have not realized perceived outcomes or achieved our objectives, then what will turning around and traveling back the same route produce?
Every living thing God created, He created to grow, to progress, and reproduce. Turning around, traveling where we have already been as an organization never advances the organization. God crated us to make forward progress.
Stop -There is one other option that can be made at any crossroad; Shut the engine off, place the shifter in park, and do nothing. Caution – Anything standing still is not making progress. I am told the worst thing you can do for a house is leave it empty. A house will deteriorate much quicker when it is empty, not occupied or being used. The same is true with a car. Mechanics and car enthusiasts tell us that if you leave a car sitting without being started or driven, it only takes a few months before the car will need major repair work to run smoothly again – to perform as it was designed.
Shutting the engine off at an intersection usually means the organization has run its course and the leaders and members are ready to close the doors and dissolve the organization. You cannot remain at the intersection. Progress cannot be made standing still and the highway must remain open for those who will come behind you.
For progress to be made you must be moving – in one direction. Which direction is right for your organization?
Is it continuing in the current direction (north)? Is this bringing the desired results of our organization?
Does your organization have what it takes to be pioneers? (west)
Is the best direction for your organization East, putting the proven principles others have proven into practice within your organizations abilities?
Is turning around and traveling the same path of your past going to bring better outcomes than those that brought you to this crossroads.
Which direction is going to give you kingdom results?
Determine which direction is right for your church or organization. Then each of the functions of the organization will need a “Crossroads” examination followed by a similar examination for each ministry of the church or arm of the organization.
When you find yourself or your organization at one of the crossroads of life, what will be your decision?