Heraclitus spoke true wisdom when he said,
“The only thing that is constant is change.”1
In the church, in our families, in our communities, and in our world;
change is a constant companion. Over the past couple of years, our world has experienced unprecedented change on levels and in arenas that no one could have imagined or predicted.
Change triggers very different reactions within each of us—depending on our personalities and our own experiences with change. When you hear the words, “things need to change” what happens inside you? Do you get butterflies and feelings of doom and dread? Do you get excited about the potential for change? Do you rejoice and release a breath wondering what has taken so long? Do you get angry and do whatever you can to block change?
Each of these reactions are common yet each comes with its own warning.
Change is difficult for many people, yet some breeze through and welcome change; sometimes simply for the sake of change itself. Both sides tend to be so far apart that it can create polarization within organizations and institutions, but wherever each of us find ourselves, learning to lean in to change is a healthy thing each of us as leaders can learn to do.
A most important thing to remember and understand in the realm of change is that whatever changes come along, there will be loss of some kind. Loss and change go hand in hand. For some, that is refreshing and for others, it comes with much dread; however, we can change the way we view change and develop an attitude and posture to embrace it as leaders.
Friend or Foe?
When we’re in a season of change, the way we face it matters and will either help or hinder us in our transition. Every woman pastor will go through seasons of change on many levels: all matter of personal as well as professional. Making friends with change can help smoothen and straighten the road ahead that can be winding and uncertain.
Resisting change simply causes a lot of undue stress and pain for everyone—not just the one enduring change. Our attitudes and levels of fear and anxiety impact those around us, at times with short tempers and misguided anger. Learning to befriend change and embrace it can be a good place to start.
Let’s be honest: few people do this well, but we can learn.
In order to befriend and embrace change we first must grieve what is lost. If you are struggling with being angry about change, take some time and think through, maybe even write down what you’re angry about. What have you lost? Why does it bother you? Get mad if you must and then grieve the loss. When you finish, pick up the change, embrace it, be thankful for it, and move forward.
The writer of Ecclesiastes penned it well when he wrote in chapter 3 verses 1-8,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
(NIV)
Everything has its season, nothing stays the same, change is inevitable. So how can we learn to roll with it rather than shrivel up or get bitter?
Learning to Roll with Change
First, accept that change is coming.
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, enjoy it fully. Don’t spend your days looking over your shoulder watching and waiting for change to come, Live life in the moment with the knowledge that life does change but don’t fear or despise it. We all have limited energy and if we spend it on the what if’s and if onlys, we will not embrace the here and now and before we know it, days, weeks, months, and even years pass without your ever having been fully present in your ministry, your children’s lives, or your marriage. What a sad wake up call.
Second, embrace change when it does happen.
Uncertainty and change does not necessarily mean disaster. “A change is as good as a rest” is something that rings very true. Getting stuck in the muck and more repetition or doing things a certain way “because we’ve always done it that way” is not the right way to do things. Spending time in the presence of the Lord and seeking His will and way is the best way to confidently embrace and execute change. If you are the leader, recruit your board or a few key people to join you in praying and seeking the Lord’s will and way.
Third, be a catalyst of change.
If you are hesitant to embrace change, work on small things until you become comfortable with change. Now, I’m not talking about change for the sake of change, but change for the sake of Kingdom work and wins. When Jesus came to earth in human form, He did things radically different than anyone expected Him to. He was following the Father’s will and bringing about change that would result in freedom for all people.
Moving Forward with Change
When you think of change, consider the positive implications for Kingdom growth and eternal wins, you may stumble along the way, but learn to see change as a friend rather than a foe. It may be of great benefit to take the advice of Harry Emerson Fosdick when he states, “Christians are supposed not merely to endure change nor even to profit by it, but to cause it.”2
Are you a change advocate? Do you see change as a threat or gift? What can you do today to begin to change your heart if you need to so you can embrace change and cause change in your context? If you’re uncomfortable, begin praying for guidance with a team and then courageously step out in faith and be a change-maker.
References:
1 https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/336994-the-only-thing-that-is-constant-is-change--
2
https://www.allgreatquotes.com/quote-168561/
