CHANGE
By Dr.Handel Leslie
The
concept of change is both complex and annoying to the minds and hearts of many.
John F. Kennedy, the thirty- fifth president of the United States had this to
say about the subject of change, “Change is the law of life and those who
look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” The
resistance to change is one of the most difficult aspects of human life. Study
reveals there are two types of change that we have no control over.
The first
is called cynical change and the second is structural change. For example,
cynical change is that which occurs in our everyday economy with the rising
cost of commodities. Prices keep skyrocketing and they don’t seem to be going
down. Of recent there are international protests and even riots over the high
cost of essential food items, with little being done about this economic
plight.
There are also seasonal changes in the weather. Sometimes the term
‘global warming’ seems to dominate the news media. With the recent changes in
our world such as terrorism, the world seems to be on tension. Looking at the
global situations, frankly speaking, there is not much that can be done even by
the most powerful governments of our day. There are structural changes such as
the invention of computers and aero planes. I have a vivid recollection of my
early childhood of the days of the manual typewriters.
At that time,
documenting information was a complex task. My grandmother used to tell of the
days when my great grandmother spoke of the days of horse and buggy. Which was
a cart driven by horses, that was the days before the invention of cars. During
those days, people would travel inter-continental journeys by steam ships.
Times have changed and with structural change, our world is advancing at a
rapid pace. It is apparent, that there is no going back to the past. However,
there is another area of change that is vital and that’s personal change. In
order to attain personal change, we must be willing to experience inner change.
Isaiah, a prophetic voice on change, wrote, “But those who wait upon the
Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their
strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as
eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk
and not faint or become tired.” Isaiah 40:31 (AMP)
Every
lasting change that affects human life from a positive perspective must begin
with a spiritual foundation. When we place our trust in God, He has the ability
to direct us through the difficult changes of life. Things never change until
we change. It is necessary to change attitudes from negative to positive. A
change of perspective from the negative to the positive, results in progress
and even lasting changes for good. If you are dissatisfied with your present
conditions, it is a sure sign that change is knocking on the door of your life.
It may require a change of mindset or a change of attitude. Sometimes it may
require you to change some enslaving habits or unhealthy relationships.
Change
is not always easy, especially if you are not willing to change the familiar.
Make the quality decision to make all necessary changes so that you rise to
your next level. Things may be about to change, but are you ready to accept
those changes? Step out of the arena of the familiar. Take a step of faith. God’s
power will give you the courage and change will bring you the results you have
been searching for. What you are resisting may contain the answers you have
been waiting for.
