Matt's Muzings
Neutral Zone
September, 2005 Volume 8, Issue 58
One day I am in Hawaii packing up the last of our belongings, then the next thing I know I turn around once, jump on a plane, drop Celia off in Singapore turn around again and I land in Pakistan. I go there to train for a company and I find myself with a group of 37 Pakistani Muslims. They are listening to another trainer and myself talk to them about leadership and change. On one of the evenings I sit outside with them and listen to them sing Punjabi songs and watch them enjoy each other. I have a new love for Pakistan, her people and I wonder at what God is up too in my life.
I return to Singapore to spend a couple of days with Celia and then I am off to Indonesia for 5 more days of training with Muslims, Buddhists and others. I ponder…What do I think about all this? What is God up to?
I wrote in my diary on this trip…”I have interacted openly and in clear conversations more with unsaved people in the last two weeks than I have in five years. I wonder what that says about me? This is really good for me as I can stay connected and reach out and touch the world. Why haven’t I done this more?”
I love the statement that says, “The purpose of change is to discover that which does not change.”
I mentioned Transitions in the March Muzing and how they have a clear ending, a neutral zone and a beginning.
NEUTRAL ZONE:
I find myself experiencing the neutral zone. The place in-between. We have given up our house, culture and family and it was a clear ending. It is now behind us. But we don’t know what is next. Some of my thoughts and feelings are:
I am insecure as I am not sure what I am to focus on. I am tempted to listen to others views before God clearly reminds (rebukes is probably a better word) me to keep my eyes on him.
My emotions are dried up. My natural desire is to withdraw and not feel rather than get sucked into the vortex of emotions.
I get nervous at moments when I think about all I don’t know and how little I do know.
I am also exploring new opportunities. I am trying to set up meetings and explore new and old relationships as that seems to be a clear means of God working.
I do know this, that this time in the neutral zone is in God’s hands and I don’t want to escape from it too early as I know I will lose a great opportunity that God has for me.
Those are just some of my own ‘issues’ going on. I think it vital now to link this all to leadership.
Transitions are a vital part of change. Change is a normal part of life. Leadership deals primarily with life.
Keys to dealing with transitions in leadership:
Use the time to look at foundations and deal with things I haven’t had time to look at or interest to look at in years.
I must look to create new expressions on the heart of God. Step outside the ‘known’ and take some new risks in new areas.
Watch out for distractions or problems as my ‘immune’ system is at it’s weakest and thus I am vulnerable to temptation or false comfort.
Strengthen and reinforce relationships. They are vital to get through it.
As a final thought, all of us must deal with transitions and neutral zones in a changing world. They are a normal time of recreating with God and taking new risks. I trust you allow yourself to go through them so that you may be able to support others and teams you are working with as they go through them.
We deeply appreciate your prayers and support during this time. It is a new day for the Rawlins family in our walk with God. Bring it on God, we are ready for new things.
We pray all your days are full of the grace and comfort of God.
In the Kings Service,
Matt and Celia (Josh is not with us and there is an ache there, tears)
Please note Celia and I have changed our email addresses.
Matt’s is: mrawlins@mac.com
Celia’s is: crawlins1@mac.com