Some storms should not be ridden out. We've all seen the reporter hanging on to a stop sign while broadcasting a live remote in the teeth of an oncoming hurricane. Even George Clooney - with the help of Mark(y Mark) Wahlberg - couldn't overcome the waves of The Perfect Storm. Some storms should not be ridden out. (But not because they are difficult or the waves are big - we'll come to that).
Side B to that record also plays true (remember vinyl?). Some storms MUST be ridden out... because what lies on the other side is so WORTH IT!
We may call it a storm. Seth Godin calls it The Dip. The Bible often calls it the desert. (I will use these terms interchangeably and mashed together). Whatever moniker we put on it, the bottom line is it is a hard, often lonely place. It shakes our faith, our confidence, and... well, it sucks! The Storm-Dip-Desert is doubt incubator on steroids. In its midst, we question our vision and ourselves.
Hollywood is going to give it another shot this Christmas. A new big-screen version of the Moses story is coming to a theater near you. Exodus: Gods and Kings - I really hope Hollywood gets it right. I didn't mean to give you whiplash with the abrupt change of directions, but there is a point. Moses is a case study in Storm-Dip-Desert. It is ironic that Batman* is playing Moses in Exodus: God's and Kings. The two actually have a lot in common. Both were brought up in opulence and given the best of the best; culture, education, extravagance. Everything. In the end, both become deliverers of sorts; bringers of justice, and instruments of a high calling. OK, that's as far as I'll take the Batman thing. I really lost interest after Heath Leger's amazing Joker anyway. As for Moses however, that is only a shallow dive into an incredibly complex and tangled life story.
Most are familiar with Heston's Moses; the white-haired, fiery alpha-male leader. But the Bible paints a different picture. As stated earlier, Moses' early life was one of abundance and easy success. However, his high calling, unrestrained by understanding, strategy or temperance got the better of him. Moses acted impulsively, striking out at oppression by focusing his rage-passion in one murderous action. My goal here is not to go into the moral or spiritual implications. (I will say that I'm considering an alternative blog to coincide with DStanFit50! that will be more along the lines of the sermons I used to preach - but that is neither here nor there for the issue at hand).
It is the result - the 40 year result - of Moses' actions that I want to make the point. Regardless of whether you believe the Bible to simply be great literature, a word from God or the word of God, there is power and application in Moses' Storm-Dip-Desert story. Moses, raised in the palace of Pharaohs, finds himself banished to a barren wasteland; of all things herding sheep. For 40 years no less! Moses is in a symbolic storm, a depressive dip, a literal dry desert. Apparently the place was so dry and hot that brush fires would spontaneously spring up and were not a thing to be much noticed. Read the story closely, you'll see it... it's not a burning bush that catches Moses' attention. It is that the bush burned, but didn't burn up.
I'm sure Moses wanted to give up many times. Although it's not specifically spelled-out, I believe that Moses' passion for his high calling, his idea of TMTITKTMTTMT (see Sep 17th post, Focus) drove him to push through. He kept dreaming, kept hoping, kept believing (Oct 14th Don't Stop Believin').
You see, though the storm is savage, the dip deep and the desert dry, we must push through. How do we know if we are to Strategically Quit or Stick it Out? This list is not exhaustive: 1) Refocus on the Target, 2) Talk to smart people that have our best interest in mind (and no other motive), 3) Think through the implications of quitting, and 4) GO WITH OUR GUT.
What do we learn in the Storm-Dip-Desert? We learn patience. We learn perseverance. We learn LBs and NTs (Like Best & Next Time). But I think the most important thing learned in Storm-Dip-Desert though is HUMILITY. Jim Collins writes in Good To Great that humility is the the distinguishing characteristic in Level 5 Leaders. Do you know how the Bible describes Moses later in his life? The former palace brat, rich boy, impulsive reactionary is described in this way, "...Moses was more humble than any person on earth..."
The Storm-Dip-Desert doesn't feel good. I won't lie and make it sound like a happy place. It is not fun, but it is necessary! If you are not currently in the Storm-Dip-Desert I have news: You have either just come out or are about to head in. Sorry! Oh, there is a third alternative... those who never attempt to live to a greater purpose, to ascend to higher highs don't have to deal with many Storm-Dip-Deserts.
I am in one NOW. I hate it, but I love it. I want out of it, but I'm thankful for it.
For now...
D
*I had to throw this in just in case I lost you on the Batman reference. Or maybe you haven't seen the trailer yet for Exodus: Gods and Kings. Christian Bale, who is Batman to a generation - sorry you Michael Keaton and George Clooney lovers - plays Moses in the new version.
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