Of Nexus Points and Other Significant Moments
by William Meishei
Nexus points are places where destiny and opportunity collide or from a Christian perspective where God's call and man's courage and will intersect. They are strategic moments that speak to core of history and purpose, of decisions and the trying of men's souls. They are opportunities to demonstrate in the moment of testing that your heart is true, that out of the fire comes precious treasure and not garbage to be swept aside. (1 Cor. 3:11-13)
I believe there are innumerable small and many major nexus points in all of our lives, and for some there will be a singular moment that will forever define them. It is often difficult to tell how significant any given test is until it is upon us. The best course is to approach each trial as if it will be the the supreme test and strive to the uttermost to do our best. We need to remember that our performance in small things sets us up for our larger decisions.
Also, these important moments are not necessarily single moments and the decisions that make them up are not necessarily single decisions but an important nexus point may take several hours, several days, or several weeks to work itself out and during that time a few or many decisions may bring us to the culminating moment, which if greatness beckons is the decision of our own choosing.
It is the characteristic excellence of the strong man that he can bring momentous issues to the fore and make a decision about them. The weak are always forced to decide between alternatives they have not chosen themselves. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
No, we are responsible for our choices, for the ripples that flow out from them, for good or ill, and for whether or not we have answered the call of God upon our lives, or have asked instead to be let off the hook of consequence. Many people spend a large portion of their lives trying to get out from under the results of a failed nexus decision when it is infinitely simpler to seize the moment and do the right thing from the start.
I am reminded of Joshua when he challenged the people of Israel with "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve". That was a nexus point for the nation and each person who made their choice that day. I also remember Paul, laying on the ground on the road to Damascus, where he was given a momentous choice by Jesus Christ, which become the significant decision point in his own life.
God is always looking for someone willing to seize the moment. In Ezekiel 22:30 He says, "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none." We should all desire to be like Isaiah who, when God asked "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" replied with "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). May God give each of us the grace to rise to the challenge when we confront our own nexus points.