Friday, January 18, 2013

Why Change?

Why Change?
Why Change?

It's so easy to take life for granted; to assume that tomorrow, my life will be no different than today. How often do you read the same story in the newspaper, day after day? Life would become quite boring without change. Yet, for many, change is often met with resistance. Last night, I was listening to Jonathan Butler sing, “Falling in Love with Jesus” and remembering some of the early changes that occurred in my life.

In our country, we focus on winning, sometimes, winning means, no matter what the cost. We celebrate winners, and we denigrate losers. In competition, the mantra is, “What have you done for me lately?” In other words, if there isn't a recognizable change, you're gonna be out of work. Coaches get fired, players get cut and businesses close down. There are always reasons for this, but often, it may be tied to an inability to change. It's a thin line between success and failure but for some, the line is so blurred, it's never seen until it's too late.

I learned very early in my professional career that those “why questions” were irrelevant. Why I must write software instructions a certain way is not as important as how I write those instructions or what to write. For me, the answers became “How or What-centric”.

Often, a person will want an answer concerning God that is based on the question of “Why?

Why did God.....?

Why would God....?

Why has God.....?

Do you know why a car starts when you put the key in the ignition?” -- Do you know how to start a car?

Do you know why you get a dial tone when you pick up the telephone?” -- Do you know how to dial a number?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart...

Why, What or How? Which answer benefits me most?

As a Christian, the simplest answers are not those posed by the question why? The jailer in the city of Philippi asked Paul and Silas:

…what must I do to be saved?

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…

Jesus asked His disciples:

Who do you say I am?

You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

The question isn’t, why change but (1) what needs to change, (2) how do I change and (3) who will help me change.

Once I have the answers to these questions, I’m ready for change to take place in my life.

MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Chist in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).Spiritual Sunday's

8 comments:

Lill said...

I think that if and when I truly realized how completely vested the God of the universe is in my life, I will have no problem with His promptings to change.When He ask anything of me, especially (change)
my response should always be one of immediate agreement. The only thing that hinders agreement in me, is pride within me. I struggle with letting go of my own pride, as if I'm holding on to life itself........blog jacked, sorry

Wanda said...

Lingering in the whys have a way of keeping us stuck in the past.

Rozalija Baričević said...

It's a long journey from WHY to WHAT, WHO and HOW. Years of learning, searching, exploring! So many paths that had led in various directions: to the top where there was a place only for the winner, then to the bottom where there were many trying to find the best way of changing. Sadly, they stayed there because they kept asking WHY? I am still learning and waiting. The answers are still on the horizon. Thanks, MTJ, for eliminating WHY from life and focus on change that is still only a distant star in the sky.

A Peculiar Person said...

a great perspective on change. It got me thinking - a lot of times when we don't want to change we hold out because we want a reason, a "why", as it were. But you're right - the what and how are so much more important. The whys aren't always clear to us, but when we know the WHO, it give us faith to follow anyway.

God bless,
Paula

Unknown said...

I tend to be a "why" asker sometimes...I think it is good to examine our own motives using that question. Why did I respond in that way, or Why did I choose this path instead of the other? We may never know some of the whys behind God's reasoning, though. I think that is why we have to start from a place of trusting that He is good. Thanks for sharing. :)

joy said...

Yes, most asked question : why?but your three questions in the last part are probaly the best.
Dropping by ftom spiritual sundays and my entry is from" willyouhearfromme.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Yes,dear one, those questions are not for us to know the answers! Our Lord Jesus is the only answer that makes sense in this world.where success, power and riches are the measuring stick for the worth of a precious soul. Thank you for a insightful post!
Love to you
Mia

Charlotte said...

So many people don't like change even if the change is for the better. I don't think that describes me although I will admit that there are some areas where change would bother me. LOL
Thank you for sharing this thought provoking post.
Blessings,
Charlotte