Be the Willow-be flexible

I have a special affection for willow trees with their graceful, drooping green leaves creating cool, shady places. As a child, it was my secret fort, my castle and my place of safety and quiet. I used to lie in that cool shade and dreamily watch the swaying of those green fronds. There, I imagined worlds and lived the stories of heroes and kingdoms. And when I had done playing, I would lie down to think those deep thoughts and bathe in the safety and healing of my willow tree. 

I remember a massive storm passing through our area with high winds snapping trees left and right. When all calmed down, we went to inspect the damage. Snapped trees lay spread out all over our property and the surrounding properties. In the middle of this fallen tree graveyard stood my willow, tattered and a bit battered – but still standing tall and proud. My willow survived the high winds and that storm because it could bend and sway. That image stayed with me as I grew up and entered the marketplace, and ‘Be the Willow’ became one of my life phrases. 

It’s tough to stay flexible in some situations, especially when you have a plan all worked out, or it’s your pet project. You’ve got it all planned, you’re following the trajectory and boom! – The way you were going no longer works. Having a flexible mindset will prevent the whole plan or project from breaking down. Flexibility is the capacity to adjust to short-term change quickly and calmly. Flexibility in the workplace will allow you to work more fluidly and be more willing to accommodate others’ needs. It also allows you more adaptability, allowing you to cope with different conditions and how others work.

Looking at the gains, being the willow can save you a lot of stress and undue ‘branch snapping’. It also allows you to simply spring back after the storm has passed. That’s why flexible people are in such high demand – they stabilise situations in a crisis and keep objectives achievable.

My willow tree was bendable and could distribute the force of the storm. It flowed with the direction of the storm instead of trying to rigidly hold an upright position in the onslaught. My willow also had deep roots. As a kingdom believer, the belief and the core value you hold will anchor you during the storms when you’re swaying in the wind. You won’t get bent out of shape if you keep an open and receptive mind.

You’ll be able to manage a situation far better if you can look at it from different perspectives. Learn to bend in new directions and have an attitude of curiosity. Ask questions and think about ways you can improve things in your life by changing your perspective. Be curious about things outside your interests and life habits. Visit new places, communicate differently, and relate with different people. Just step out of your comfortable groove and open your eyes to the wide world around you. 

Once you do that, you will find new things you want to do: new hobbies, new people, new skills, new business ideas, new ways to minister. We constantly update the way we teach. Whilst training ministry leaders in South Africa, we invited one of the top mime artists to come and teach us all how to mime and how to apply the Christian clown face. This was part of a weekend-long workshop on how to reach those who would never darken the door of a church. All the participants, including us, had to make a clown costume in the coming week, using what they had or making one from scratch. The following weekend, seasoned pastors and respected leaders gathered at our ministry headquarters in full costume with clown faces, and in convoy, we went into one of the densely populated living areas and performed gospel mime on the streets. What was extraordinary was how these very rigid pastors and leaders relaxed behind their clown faces and just flowed in passion and fun. We had the most extraordinary results in people entering the kingdom and finding deliverance. One very drunk man instantly sobered up while watching the gospel mime and wanted to talk to a pastor. He sat with his head bent down, waiting to have a serious conversation about his life with a pastor. Kneeling next to him was a man in a full clown costume with a clown face. He visibly relaxed, smiled, and with total ease could pour out his heart and find deliverance and peace.

We all know storms will come at some time in life, so use some of your time to learn new skill sets and strengthen the skills you have. Train your mind to do things and think about things differently. And stay optimistic because you’re loved by God, who leads you and nurtures you, so you’ll grow supple. He likes us supple and ready to explore new creative ways of living, ministering and prospering.

No matter what you face, stand tall and be the willow. Remember, in every situation we have God with us and “we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV. So, keep your eyes always on the Lord and move with His directions. You’re well able to go through any storm flexibly. Afterwards, you will have come out of the situation standing tall, and like my willow tree, you will be a life lesson to others that inspires them to say, “I will be the willow. "Loving Creator, help me to grow more supple, day by day, as I respond to Your leading."

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