Stage 3 of Change
I call stage 3 of change, “New Beginnings.” I find this stage very interesting as I watch others do what I did in this season… we are found to be fighting the New! The new system has gone live or some would say it come online and you’re still in the past. Sometimes you actually begin to experience some hope as the new system comes online but you shoot it down with anxiety and fear. Here’s the key to New Beginnings… Courage!
Let’s define courage. Courage is a mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, withstand what we consider dangerous and difficult for us. I like to say, “Do it Afraid!” But do It! Oh, and trust God all the way into the New Beginnings.
Personal Story
I will never forget my first experience as a new staff pastor with something called “Sudden Change.” I was in my late 20’s and anxious to change the world. I had made some crucial mistakes and because of those mistakes I was about to face change at 225 mph. Everything I had authority over was going to be given to others while I would go from being #1 to being #2. Over half were ministries I had implemented in the church. But change came unexpectedly and very sudden. I had a choice… Fight the change or embrace the change, transition through it, let go of stuff and move on. You’re wondering what I did, right? I pouted for 12 hours in front of my wife then I embraced the change. It wasn’t easy but it had to be done.
My story lends itself to five important issues I learned while in the season of change, transition, letting go and moving on. 1) Be ready to accept the reality of change & the need to let go, you have to! 2) Be ready to accept new leadership and support the new leadership with the same energy you did before the change. 3) Be attuned to God’s Word. Matter of fact, God’s Word better be your lifeline. People will leave you but God’s Word is always there. 4) Be awake to your own emotions and do not allow them to rule your future! 5) Be open to the change because you may be just around the corner to some of the most exciting new opportunities you will experience no other way. Truth be known, I walked right into some amazing opportunities and experiences because I did the right thing.
Change and the Four Seasons
Just as there are four seasons, there can be four seasons in change, transition, letting go and moving on. Spring represents renewal. When you really accept change then transition, then let go and then you move on, you are experiencing Spring. Spring is an opportunity to be refreshed in such a way so you can experience new and exciting things that come with change. Summer represents freedom, you know fun in the sun or at the lake. When you feel renewed and refreshed you feel free. You will enjoy the change more each day. Fall represents change itself. Change is coming, it’s always out there and sooner or later it will find you. We must let go of Summer and embrace the changing season. We have to turn the page and go to the next chapter called Fall. We must learn to allow Fall to come and get ready to embrace Winter. Winter can be short or it can be very long, truth is, it all depends on you. Winter represents endings or the death of something that was. We decide how long winter last. Winter will last as long as you keep fighting the change.
Change Exposes Stuff
Change exposes our insecurities, our frustrations and it exposes how deeply stuck we are in routines that cause us to fight change. The list is much greater than this, however, I call the list my “Bug List.” A farmer likes winter…. matter fact, a cold winter. Why? They want a good winter to kill the bugs. Change is like winter, it kills the bugs in us. Crude I know but it’s the truth. Winter helps us keep on track for Spring!
Winter/Change
Change can end the bug called immaturity and it reveals where our level of faith is in God. Change, if you will let it, can kill the bugs that keep you from trusting God.
This Ends My Series
I feel it’s important that I share a word with you next week concerning honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom just before we celebrate Memorial Day. After that blog, I will begin a 4 part series called, “End Times According to Jesus.” World events are opening this door so I look forward in sharing these truths from Jesus.
The Message | Php 3:13 Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. 14 I’m off and running and I’m not turning back. 15 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! 16 Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. 17 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.
Recent Comments