Since my last post I’ve been thinking about change. Most people I know don’t like change. Inherent to change is a lack of control, thus the displeasure. In my capacity as pastor I’m usually in the position of dictating the change. Admittedly this makes dealing with change less displeasureable for me.Coupled with the control issues change causes us to deal with our stuff. I liken it to moving. The longer we live in one location the more stuff we accumulate. As moving day draws near we're forced to decide what to do with all those precious personal items we’ve stored away in our basements, closets, attics and garages.
Disrupting those hidden areas of our lives is messy and can be exhausting. But on the upside, it can be extremely liberating. Moving into a brand new house with it’s empty closets, never before used toilets and perfectly clean garage floor feels so good! It’s parabolic of new beginnings with all the promise of never making those old familiar mistakes again. I can hear myself now… “Honey, I promise I’ll keep the garage clean this time”.
Change is inevitable; it’s coming on the wind – sent by the Father. He’s a good Dad, I can trust him. He has my best at heart. Even though I don’t completely understand it, this time I’ll embrace it... by holding lightly to the people, the possessions and the positions that have been entrusted to my care.
Dad, my hands are open, let the wind blow, amen.
© Tom Zawacki 2007
I've been married to you a long time...I don't like change, but I'm getting better at it (seems to be a prerequisite to being married to you). Couldn't you just once hold tightly to people? :)
ReplyDeleteAll kidding inside, I love you and your great outlook on change. I too understand the importance of letting God be God - none of it is "ours" to begin with.
Love you,
Nadine
I LOVE CHANGE! Ok most of the time anyway!! HAHA hence my different background image choices on my blog.
ReplyDeleteyou're a better man than I, Tom Zawacki...
ReplyDeletekeep not quitting, ok?
I've always liked to think that I like change, even thrive on it. But I'm learning that I am much less pleased with change that rocks my world - sometimes even good change can do that and I've come to realize that I don't like it at first.
ReplyDeleteSomething I learned from some corporate training I took is that resistance to change is inevitable because all change causes disruption and disruption creates friction, and thus resistance as we try to minimize or deny the disruption. That knowledge has helped me learn to adapt more quickly and not beat myself up over the fact that is has made me uncomfortable. I'm just sayin' :)
When I read this it reminded me of a picture that God gives me on occasion. When I'm basking, just sitting their breathing God in. I start to relax my muscles, which is an exercise I use to try to free myself from the natural realm. God gives me a picture of myself sitting on a beach and the wind starts to blow softly and I start to turn into sand starting from my head and moving down my body and I'm carried on his wind. Just thought I would share.
ReplyDelete