When the River Moves — lessons for leaders on strategy, surrender, and God’s timing
In the mountains of Honduras stands a breathtaking monument to human brilliance—and human limitation.
The problem?
The river moved.
Though perfectly intact, the bridge no longer connected anything to anywhere.
Today, that bridge stands as a vivid picture of divine timing — a reminder that even what’s strong and well-built can lose purpose when the landscape shifts.
It’s a testament to what happens when strength outlasts strategy, to when we keep building for a world that has already changed, and when we cling to what was instead of moving with what is.
We’ve seen this same truth play out in business.
- Kodak invented digital photography but buried it, afraid it would kill film sales.
- Blockbuster dismissed Netflix’s model, convinced late fees were indispensable.
- Toys “R” Us outsourced innovation to Amazon, losing touch with its customers.
- BlackBerry refused to evolve, confident people would always want buttons.
Each clung to what once worked and missed where the market was moving.
By contrast, adaptable companies recognized the shift, innovated, and endured. Even in the secular marketplace, we see evidence that principles rooted in God’s wisdom—stewardship, vision, adaptability—produce lasting fruit. And when Christian leaders apply those same truths with spiritual discernment, they don’t just build profit; they build Kingdom impact.
Real-World Obedience: The Story of Art Ally
In 1994, Art Ally launched Timothy Plan—one of the first mutual-fund families to integrate biblically-based moral filters (pro-life, pro-family) into investment strategy.
At the time, the field of biblically responsible investing was virtually undeveloped. He left a successful financial-services career, trusted God’s direction, and pioneered a new model of investing.
Though reception was cautious—financial professionals and Christian leaders were unfamiliar with such an approach—he persevered.
Today, Timothy Plan is a thriving example of what happens when faith-led strategy meets strategic excellence.
Ally’s story is a modern Noah moment—a leader who built something unprecedented out of obedience, and in doing so, transformed an entire industry.
Let’s Break This Down: Strategy & Surrender—Heaven’s Blueprint
In the Kingdom, strategy and surrender aren’t opposites—they’re partners.
Worldly strategy begins with planning, leading, organizing, and control.
Kingdom strategy begins with surrender: listening, aligning, and following divine direction.
Surrender isn’t passive—it’s power under authority. It’s releasing your plan so you can co-create with the Creator of the universe.
That’s the wisdom Paul revealed in 1 Corinthians 2: “We have the mind of Christ.” When we stop striving to figure it out, we start hearing what Heaven is saying. And when we follow His leading, our obedience becomes innovation.
Surrender opens the space for divine strategy—and that’s where the YES& Framework comes alive.
Business runs on equations—input and output, cost and profit.
But the Kingdom operates on higher math: the last become first, the weak become strong, the meek inherit the earth.
God’s way of doing business doesn’t eliminate excellence—it redefines it.
It’s not faith or excellence; it’s faith and excellence.
