Embracing Change
4. March 2008 by BruceSmith.
Change is never easy, and more often than not we avoid it at all costs. A change in behavior, belief, priority, or pursuit rarely comes without great effort. As nearly all the research demonstrates, most change, in fact, comes amidst life altering difficulty.
A marriage on the rocks often must really hit bottom before two partners pay attention to what is really going on. A man struggling with an addictive habit usually makes headway if and only if he runs into a wall. Lasting and meaningful change in our lives, no matter how much it is needed and regardless of how beneficial it may be, does not just happen on its own.
Today’s thoughts, previously recorded in Soul Storm (www.soulstormsite.com) are an encouragement to consider what God may be up to in your life. As you read as yourself where the winds of His Spirit may be pushing you. Is it a season for change in your life? Are you stagnant, bored, misplaced, improperly focused, headed in the wrong direction? Could God be up to redirecting your path? Perhaps the winds of change are blowing in your life. If so, allow God to speak to you as He leads you to fresh ideas, new ventures, and a greater purpose and peace.
Change Agents
In corporate America the mastery of change has become an entire field of study. “Change Agents” are those specialized experts who have established themselves as gurus of corporate change. These corporate sages of shifting realities are paid enormous sums for their insights. Change agents in the workplace are assigned the task of preparing companies for high octane performance in a world that has one constant, change. The life-blood of thriving companies depends more and more upon their ability to change and adapt to and ever adjusting marketplace. Consumer trends, new technology, new methods of obtaining feedback, global economic shifts, changes in price to earnings ratios, paradigm shifts, and other unexpected realities make it mandatory for business leaders to excel in the management of change. If a business cannot make quick changes, it is sunk. It is no longer acceptable, we are told, for a major market player to turn slowly like a big ship. The leader must be able to develop a company that is nimble, decisive, and fast moving. Anything less will bring about a dramatic drowning. The bottom line has become mastery of change. As one leadership and business periodical recently proclaimed on its cover, businesses must “Change or Die.” (Fast Company, May 2005).
As critical as the mastery of change is in the business world, it is far more critical when it comes to making significant and lasting changes within our souls. Change agents in the world of big business are paid so much money because their role is so critically important to success. Experts on change measures are a must for big companies who have so much at risk. Beyond the salaries and consulting fees paid to these gurus are enormous budgets for implementing the change strategies once they are arrived at. But there is a problem. Scientists inform us, as does everyday reality, that regardless of the money spent, time allocated, and incentives given, ninety percent of people find it very hard to make lasting change in their lives. That’s why, more often that not, a massive shaking must take place before most of us will consider really moving toward our own changes measures. There’s another big problem. Scientists tell us that even with a major crisis lending incentive, ninety percent of people will not make a much needed change in their lifestyle. As the feature article, “Change or Die”, found in the May 2005 issue of Fast Company magazine, informs us, leading scientists have noted that even amidst one of life’s most serious crisis, one’s physical health, a fraction of individuals will be sparked to a major lifestyle change. Even heart by-pass patients with the real potential of life-ending problems will not change their habits following a surgery. And as many CEOs and academic professionals who study change will attest, the biggest challenge to changing an organization is not the development of strategy, but rather, getting people to actually change, even those who sign on to the change measures in principle.
I have watched and grieved over the choices of people close to me, friends and family, which have led to intense difficulty. Watching a friend or family member continue in some habit that is wrecking their body, mind and soul is a troubling ordeal. I have seen family members, amidst the storm of a lung cancer diagnosis, continue to smoke. I have witnessed others close to me amidst the storm of physical, emotional, and relational brokenness continue in patterns, and addictions that ultimately tore entire families apart. Too often, appeals to reason, common sense, and spiritual advice fell on deaf ears. It seems so hard for us to change. It is interesting that much of the research coming from various fields studying change behavior reveals that change typically takes places only when individuals “see” life through a different lens at some point. A change in worldview or a reframing of one’s understanding of reality is what leads to meaningful and lasting change. Such a shift in perspective, some researchers suggest, comes through an evaluation and acceptance of the changes being considered on a multiplicity of levels; physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and otherwise. A strict appeal to reason alone, as we witnessed earlier with John Donne in his poem, “Batter My Heart”, is typically not sufficient. This is why the best communicators and the most effective of change agents appeal to both head and heart. The implications for change in society and within the Church are very intriguing and will be considered in later chapters.
God has many change agents as His disposal. His measures for change come riding on the winds and waves of many different storms in our lives. If we are willing to see life through His eyes, lasting change can and will be affected in us. Just as in the world of fine art, the way we perceive an important work is often greatly affected by the framing of a piece, so too in our lives, the framing of our understanding determines what life looks like from deep inside our souls. If we are to view the rebuilding of our lives through eyes of faith, we must understand that God is at work and is unfolding His plan amidst the massive changes we may be facing. God often uses sudden and dramatic moments of upheaval in our lives to bring about lasting change for us and others. Interestingly, current research demonstrates that the common strategy of taking changes slowly does not work. Most often, it is more likely that lasting change will come about through massive and aggressive alterations. God uses disaster to present us with widows or moments of life transformation. The faithful acceptance of life’s disasters as opportunities for God to do something miraculous is what leads to a change for good. Turning one’s soul away from life’s challenges leads to stagnation and a shrinking of our souls. Change or Die! (For an interesting read on developments in neuroscience and current thinking on behavioral change see Alan Deutschman’s complete article in the May 2005 issue of Fast Company magazine.)
Bruce Smith
optimuslife.org