I know that we have covered this a couple of times in this blog; however, the older I get the more things make sense and the more I feel it necessary to write them down for the next generation. The inevitability of change is overwhelming. It is amazing; the reality of change in our lives.
There are a couple of steps that I wanted to share with you that I process through whenever change is about to happen. These steps are certainly not exhaustive, and there will be times no doubt where you may have your own process. But alas, for the sake of being redundant here is what I look at when the inevitability of change is upon me.
Step 1: Take a step back. Change is hard sometimes, and if we are too close to the situation, we may not see the bigger picture. When change starts to creep into my life I do my very best to make sure that I take a step back. When you are young, everything seems like the end of the world. The older you get, the harder change is but the easier it is to understand in necessity.
Step 2: Determine your destination. The problem with change is that it is stressful. Stress leads to anger or frustration, and ultimately anger and frustration could lead to saying something you regret or having an attitude that does not help the situation. Often times after I have taken a step back, I examine my destination. Again, this involves heavily the ability to see the bigger picture. With this ability, you can certainly overcome everything. I think to myself, 6 months in comparison to the rest of my life is not a big deal. I can do that. If your overall goal is to get to a particular destination, change is probably going to be essential to achieving your goal. If you want to change life habits or know Jesus better, it is probably going to help you more that you spend less time with people who are going to take you toward the wrong destination and start opening your Bible. Change in your life cannot happen without action.
Step 3: Determine your direction. So you know where you want to be, but how are you going to get there? You have determined your destination already. Now it is time to move in the direction that will help get you to the destination. Some students try to give me the “I don’t know which way to go” line. I disagree. The problem with being human is we all know what is best for us, we just do not always go in that direction because it seems less fun, less engaging or possibly less adventurous. I am not sure anyone who has gone in the right direction has regretted it though.
Step 4: Decide. You have stepped back, determined where you want to end up, made the appropriate choice in direction and now decisions are going to come your way like a flood. Make them wisely. Choose your direction over all other tempting options. Your direction is like a compass, let it guide you home.
Step 5: Move toward your destination. As stated previously, change needs action or it will never happen. MOVE toward your destination by MOVING in the direction you have set forth.
Try not to let change get you down. It is necessary and worthwhile.
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Food for thought: Are you moving toward your destination?
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