Become different; undergo alteration; transform, transition; one phase to another
Change or die. Eldridge Cleaver
The times they are ‘a-changin’. Bob Dylan
To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. Henri Louis Bergson
Like it or not, change is one of the things that is always occurring. It is all around. At the very least, we are changing because we are getting older. Change is a fact of life. It is going to happen regardless of whether we receive it graciously or even if we “kick and scream” while trying to resist it.
Some are extremely opposed to change; others accept it easily. Those that are prone to be receptive to change have an advantage over those who fight it. If it were not for change we would still be living in caves. Change can be an element for good or an element for bad. The Civil Rights Movement has been a tremendous change for the good. The increased divorce rate has been change for the bad. Life is full of both good and bad changes.
The challenge to each of us should be that we welcome the changes that transform us into a better person. We should be trying to change to become the best possible version of ourselves. We are a “work in progress”. The finished version will not be known until we experience our last breath. We are an unfinished sculpture being carved and formed on a daily basis. Our life is either going backwards, remaining the same or becoming the work of art that it was meant to be. In this sense, it is good to look at change as an agent for good. If we embrace the concept that change is a means for becoming a better “us”, we should welcome and embrace it.
Perhaps we would be better off if we received “report cards” much as we did in elementary school. We could be graded on attitude, motivation, commitment, self-discipline and numerous other things. Being measured and getting feedback would be a way to monitor our progress of growing and changing, just as our teachers did when we were young. We were monitored and measured as a part of our maturation process. In many respects today’s process should remain the same, “no matter what our age”. We should always be changing for the better. As adults, we have to assume the roles of both parent and teacher to ourselves. We have to monitor and measure ourselves as to whether or not we are changing, growing and maturing. There is no one else to do this for us.
Challenge: Are you committed to changing for the good? Are you monitoring, measuring and observing the changes in your life? Occasionally submit a report card to yourself on how you are doing. If you are doing this; chances are you are changing for the better. Remember you are an ongoing “work in progress”? Look in the mirror; do reality checks. If you are not living to your potential, decide to do better. “Inch by inch, it is a cinch”.
Wisdom: We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Spiritual: (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Galatians 5:22
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge. 2 Peter 1:5
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18
The most powerful Agent of Change is the Holy Spirit working in our lives. He is the Master Artist who is working to perfect the work that God started when we were born. God knows us perfectly, more so that we can ever know ourselves. If we truly desire to change for good and become what we are capable of being, God is ready, willing, and able to help us to do just that. He will not force the issue. We must want and ask for his help.
Prayer: Help me to be embrace “change” as a means of becoming more of what You want me to be.
Daily Doses 