2024-06-29
Ecclesiastes 7:10 NIV
Two more reasons we resist change are these: (1) Because it feels awkward and uncomfortable. When was the last time you tried something for the first time? Can you name it specifically? If you can’t remember, your comfort zone may have turned into a rut. A sign on a wall contained two statements. The first had an X through it. It said, “If it ain’t broken – don’t fix it.” The second read, “If it ain’t broken – break it!” Sometimes the only way to “get out of the box” is to break out.
(2) Because we cling to tradition. The Pharisees could not receive the truth Jesus shared because they were bound by their traditions. And many of us still cling to tradition. We assume that if something is a tradition (a long-established pattern of behavior), it has to be a better way. That’s not necessarily so, as change agents like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford demonstrated. Question: How many traditionalists does it take to change a light bulb? Four: one to change it, and three to talk about how wonderful the old light bulb was!
Bottom line: When a tradition connects you to other people or to your personal history, it can be good. If it doesn’t, maybe it’s time to try something new. The Bible says, “The way of the righteous… shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over” (Proverbs 4:18-19 NLT). So, what changes do you need to make in your life?
Soul food: 1 Sam 1-3; Luke 3:1-10; Ps 59:1-8; Prov 16:20-22
2024-06-28
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
What happens when you try to implement change at the wrong time? For that matter, when is the right time to do it? From a leadership perspective, there are actually better times than others to make changes.
Dr. John Maxwell, who wrote the best seller The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, says: “I developed the following checklist to help me navigate the process: Will this [change] benefit the followers? Is [it] compatible with the purpose of the organization? Is this change specific and clear? Are the top 20 percent (the influencers) in favour of [it]? Is it possible to test this change before making a total commitment to it? Are physical, financial, and human resources available to make this change? Is [it] reversible? Is this change the next obvious step? Does [it] have both short- and long-range benefits? Is the leadership capable of bringing about this change? Does everything else indicate the timing is right? Before implementing a big change, I run through this checklist and answer each question with a yes or no. If too many questions have a no by them, then I conclude that the timing may not be right.”
Timing is so important. The Bible says: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… He has made everything beautiful in its time” (vv. 1, 11 NKJV). If you’re thinking of making a change, talk to God “the timekeeper” and ask Him (1) what should I do? and (2) when should I do it? Then step out in faith and trust Him to guide you!
Soul food: Song 5-8; Luke 2:41-52; Ps 21; Prov 16:16-19
Prediker 3:1 NLV
Wat gebeur wanneer jy verandering op die verkeerde tyd probeer implementeer? Wat is die regte tyd om dit te doen? Vanuit ‘n leierskapsperspektief, is sekere tye beter as ander om verandering te maak.
Dr John Maxwell, wat die topverkoper The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership geskryf het, sê: ‘Ek het die volgende kontrolelys ontwikkel om my te help om die proses te navigeer: Sal hierdie verandering tot voordeel van die volgelinge wees? Is dit met die doel van die organisasie versoenbaar? Is hierdie verandering spesifiek en duidelik? Is daar ten minste 20 persent van die volgelinge wat ten gunste van die verandering is? Is dit moontlik om die verandering te toets voordat ‘n totale verbintenis daartoe gemaak word? Is daar fisiese, finansiële en menslike hulpbronne beskikbaar om hierdie verandering te maak? Is dit omkeerbaar? Is hierdie verandering die volgende logiese stap? Het dit beide kort- en langtermyn voordele? Is die leierskap in staat om hierdie verandering deur te sien? Dui alles anders daarop dat die tydsberekening reg is? Voor ek ‘n groot verandering implementeer, gaan ek eers deur hierdie kontrolelys en beantwoord die vrae daarop. As te veel vrae ‘n nee as antwoord het, kom ek tot die gevolgtrekking dat die tydsberekening dalk nie reg mag wees nie.’
Tydsberekening is baie belangrik. Die Bybel sê: ‘Daar is ‘n vaste tyd vir alles, elke ding onder die son het sy tyd… Hy het alles mooi gemaak…’ (verse 1, 11 NLV). As jy daaraan dink om ‘n verandering te maak, praat met God en vra Hom: 1) Wat jy moet doen, en 2) Wanneer jy dit moet doen. Tree dan uit in geloof en vertrou Hom om jou te lei!
Sielskos: Hoog 5-8 Luk 2:41-52 Ps 21 Spr 16:16-19
2024-06-27
Hebrews 11:8 NKJV
Who among us wouldn’t like to have a success story like Abraham’s? He had fame, great riches, and “was even called the friend of God” (James 2:23 NLT). It doesn’t get better than that! But Abraham’s story begins with these words: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” How on earth did he do it? By faith!
Why do we resist change? Doubt and fear! We fear personal loss. Anytime change is imminent, the first question that pops into our minds is, “How will it affect me?” For example, suppose a coworker approaches you and says, “I just heard the boss is thinking about laying off some people today.” Is your first thought, “I wonder what market conditions triggered that decision?” Or is it, “I bet he feels bad about having to do that!” No, probably your first thought is, “Am I at risk?” That’s simply human nature.
The second we face change we can quickly feel alone and helpless. Where do you find strength in such moments? In God! His promise is: “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV). Relax! That which is unknown to you is fully known to God. And the One who has always taken care of you has already gone ahead to prepare the way (See Deuteronomy 31:8).
Soul food: Song 1-4; Luke 2:34-40; Ps 17; Prov 16:12-15
Hebreërs 11:8 NLV
Wie van ons sal nie daarvan hou om ‘n suksesverhaal soos Abraham s’n te hê nie? Hy het roem en rykdom gehad en is ‘n ‘…vriend van God…’ (Jakobus 2:23 NLV), genoem. Beter kry mens nie! Abraham se verhaal begin egter met hierdie woorde: ‘Omdat hy geglo het, het Abraham… gehoorsaam… weggetrek sonder om te weet waar hy sou beland.’ Hoe op aarde het hy dit gedoen? Deur geloof!
Hoekom staan ons verandering teë? As gevolg van twyfel en vrees! Ons vrees persoonlike verlies. Elke keer wat verandering op die horison verskyn, is die eerste gedagte wat by ons opkom: ‘Hoe gaan dit my affekteer?’ Veronderstel ‘n kollega kom vandag by jou en sê: ‘Ek het nou net gehoor dat die baas daaraan dink om vandag ‘n paar mense af te lê.’ Is jou eerste gedagte: ‘Ek wonder wat in die ekonomie aangaan wat so ‘n besluit veroorsaak het?’ Of is dit: ‘Ek is seker hy voel sleg dat hy dit moet doen!’? Nee, jou eerste gedagte is heel waarskynlik: ‘Loop ek die risiko om my werk te verloor?’ Dis eenvoudig menslike natuur.
Die oomblik wat ons voor verandering te staan kom, kan ons vinnig alleen en hulpeloos begin voel. Waar vind jy in sulke situasies jou krag? In God! Sy belofte is: “…’Ek sal jou nie los nie. Ek sal jou nie in die steek laat nie.’ Daarom kan ons moed skep en antwoord: ‘Die Here is my hulp. Daarom sal ek nie bang wees nie. Wat kan nietige mensies my aandoen?'” (Hebreërs 13:5-6 NLV).
Ontspan! Dit wat vir jou onbekend is, is ten volle aan God bekend. Hy is die Een wat nog altyd vir jou sorg en Hy het jou alreeds vooruitgegaan om die pad vir jou voor te berei (sien Deuteronomium 31:8).
Sielskos: Hoog 1-4; Luk 2:34-40; Ps 17; Spr 16:12-15
