October 2008
Change is Coming – Part 1
“I was born by the river in a little tent
And just like the river, I’ve been running ever since
It’s been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come“
(From “A Change is Gonna
Come” by Sam Cooke)
One of the most challenging aspects of life is change. As certain
as change is, we still resist it, seem baffled by it, are often surprised by it
and struggle with how to deal with it. I know that you can't help but notice
that we are in the midst of change - economic, political, social, technological,
and global change. Our lives are transforming right before our very eyes. A few
weeks ago, I sat in my office trying to mentally digest one of the most
significant changes currently unfolding in my life. It's not as if I did not
know about this change and I am truly excited about this deep desire coming to
fruition. Let me be clear, though. Briefly, I felt overwhelmed because there are
so many other unanticipated events occurring at the same time as my big change.
In all of that thought and emotion, the change was still coming. I had to decide
to either faithfully stand through or fearfully resist the change.
Change moves us
away from familiarity
Change does not always happen the way that we have so meticulously planned it.
Merriam-Webster states that change is "to make different in some particular; to
make radically different; to pass from one phase to another; to undergo
transformation, transition or substitution." Change moves us to an experience
that we have never had. You can not be transformed by staying in the same place
or by going back to what is comfortable. "Many plans are in a man's mind, but it
is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand." (Proverbs 19:21, AMP)
Change builds new
muscle
Change requires us to adapt to its newness. There is no set time period for this
adjustment, as we each resist, approach and embrace change differently. Have you
ever started a new exercise program? Even if you have exercised regularly, a new
program that requires different muscles will take time to get used to. You might
be sore or have decreased endurance but after you adapt to it, you are able to
endure it more comfortably. If you quit when it gets difficult, it still does
not change the fact that you must eventually work through it to get results from
it.
Change never
rests
Even though we
may not see it, change continually seeks the next launching point. Good or bad,
change is a part of our existence. Stagnation leads to death. Expect
change!
Decide to thrive through change
Think about the
changes that have occurred in or are on the horizon of your life.
·
How
do you prepare for change?
·
How
do you respond in the face of change?
·
What have you learned from your experiences with change?
·
Where do you stand in the midst of change – leading or lagging?
Change is
inevitable, growth is intentional.” – Glenda Cloud |