Change is never easy! But it is necessary.

January 7, 2010

Over the last few days I have been contemplating the necessity for change. Change in my own personal life, change in my work life, change in my church, change in the organization of which I am a part. Whether we like it or not, change seems to be a constant. It is also very needed. Peter Drucker,  recognized by many as the godfather of management, wrote: “Everybody has accepted by now that change is unavoidable. But that still implies that change is like death and taxes — it should be postponed as long as possible and no change would be vastly preferable. But in a period of upheaval, such as the one we are living in, change is the norm."

Too often we fight change, avoid change, fear change, kill change or flat out reject change. But should we? Change is never easy, but is usually very beneficial for us. If we stop changing, we stop growing and growth is the only real evidence of life.

Saint Augustine once wrote, “If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are.  For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained.  Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.” Paul wrote in 2 Cor 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” I guess that means for the Christian, change should be welcomed and embraced. Notice I didn’t say enjoyed, although some change is enjoyable. Change is often far from being something we enjoy.

As I was reading the Psalms the other day God laid these verses before my eyes. (Ps 32:8-9) The Lord said, “I will guide you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” So far, so good! I like this verse. I love knowing that God is guiding my pathway and watching over me. Gives me a sense of peace. But then the Lord said, “Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and a bridle to keep it under control.” Senseless horse or mule!? Not sure I like that visual. My mother always said I was like a bull in a china shop. The opposite to the senseless horse is one that will follow its master out of a relationship and trust.

Think about it for a minute. How often have we acted like the senseless horse in the face of change? When things don’t make sense in our world and change catches us off guard, how do we react? Whether change is related to work, home, church or our own personal growth, we tend to fight change, don’t we? How willing are we to simply follow the master, even when it doesn’t make sense, isn’t enjoyable or when it doesn’t feel good. How often does he have to bridle us as senseless beasts?

The Lord says to each of us, “I will guide you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” He knows us best and ultimately has our best in mind. So embrace, expect and welcome change knowing that the Father is using it to change us from glory to glory. Change is never easy, but it is necessary. If we stop changing, we stop growing and growth is the only real sign of life.

Over the last few days I have been contemplating the necessity for change. Change in my own personal life, change in my work life, change in my church, change in the organization of which I am a part. Whether we like it or not, change seems to be a constant. It is also very needed. Peter Drucker,  recognized by many as the godfather of management, wrote: “Everybody has accepted by now that change is unavoidable. But that still implies that change is like death and taxes — it should be postponed as long as possible and no change would be vastly preferable. But in a period of upheaval, such as the one we are living in, change is the norm."

Too often we fight change, avoid change, fear change, kill change or flat out reject change. But should we? Change is never easy, but is usually very beneficial for us. If we stop changing, we stop growing and growth is the only real evidence of life.

Saint Augustine once wrote, “If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are.  For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained.  Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.” Paul wrote in 2 Cor 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” I guess that means for the Christian, change should be welcomed and embraced. Notice I didn’t say enjoyed, although some change is enjoyable. Change is often far from being something we enjoy.

As I was reading the Psalms the other day God laid these verses before my eyes. (Ps 32:8-9) The Lord said, “I will guide you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” So far, so good! I like this verse. I love knowing that God is guiding my pathway and watching over me. Gives me a sense of peace. But then the Lord said, “Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and a bridle to keep it under control.” Senseless horse or mule!? Not sure I like that visual. My mother always said I was like a bull in a china shop. The opposite to the senseless horse is one that will follow its master out of a relationship and trust.

Think about it for a minute. How often have we acted like the senseless horse in the face of change? When things don’t make sense in our world and change catches us off guard, how do we react? Whether change is related to work, home, church or our own personal growth, we tend to fight change, don’t we? How willing are we to simply follow the master, even when it doesn’t make sense, isn’t enjoyable or when it doesn’t feel good. How often does he have to bridle us as senseless beasts?

The Lord says to each of us, “I will guide you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” He knows us best and ultimately has our best in mind. So embrace, expect and welcome change knowing that the Father is using it to change us from glory to glory.

Posted 1/7/2010 in Stephen Gray | 0 Comments - Add Comment