Tuesday, March 21, 2006

The Courage to Change

For as long as I can remember I have been enamored with change. Not change for the sake of change (although I can buy that) or change simply to make things better (contentment is a fine art) but I have been captured change that reflects what God would want us to do for His sake, His name, His glory.

I look at it this way. Paul (and sidekick Silas) left Antioch not to create change, nor to really shake up a system. They left for the glory and fame of God among the nations - changes in sytems, structures and functions resulted resulted because men of purpose and action desired to see His name glorified by more worshipers. Our task is the same as theirs.

Below are 5 quotes I came across on change.

-------
Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
- King Whitney, Jr.

Men make history, and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
- Harry S. Truman

The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created--created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination.
- John Schaar, futurist

In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.
- Eric Hoffer

----
If we are to fullfil the vision God has called us to . . . we must embrace any and every change to make that happen.

No comments: