Let’s talk about change

I will be the first person to admit that I can’t stand changes. I’m not a fan of any kind of change, honestly. I am a creature of habit. I do not change easily, and I do not embrace change readily.

Yes, I am aware that some changes are actually beneficial to me. Does that change how I feel about changes? No, it does not – I’m too stubborn for that.

All of that being said, a lot of change has happened in my life in recent months. Changes that I am still trying to adjust to.

Changes that Filmore (my cat) is still trying to adjust to. He’s struggling just a little bit, but making progress for the most part.

My life has been rearranged, and it’s something I’m actively working to accept (and not just begrudgingly).

That being said, my pastor recently challenged myself and some other young adults to read a book by John C. Maxwell called Developing the Leader Within You.

It’s a very practical book, and I’m enjoying it so far. But the fourth chapter hit me kind of hard. You see, it’s titled “The Ultimate Test of Leadership: Creating Positive Change”.

I’m sure you can see my issue already.

It was a beneficial chapter to read though. A bit of a wake up.

Here are two quotes that I underlined:

“People change when they hurt enough that they have to change; learn enough that they want to change; receive enough that they are able to change,” pg. 64.

“Max Depree said, ‘In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.’ It’s a fact that when you’re through changing, you’re through,” pg. 74.

The first quote is such truth I stared at it for quite a bit before finally underlining it and continuing to read. Because while I know that I don’t like change, I also know that most other people don’t like change either.

But that quote made me realize that I don’t want to be part of the first group of people. I don’t ever want to avoid and hate change so much that the only way it happens is when I get hurt so much that change becomes my only option – that’s something I want to avoid more than change.

I do want to learn things though. Learn enough that I want to change, so that maybe one day I can give someone enough that they are able to change. That’s something I can get behind, even if it won’t be easy.

Secondly, wow. We can’t move forward without change, sure, but when we’re through changing, we’re through? That’s really heavy stuff for someone who dislikes change as much as I do. But again, it’s true.

If I stay exactly as I am, what’s the point? If I don’t change, or embrace change when it happens to me, I cannot benefit anyone. Not even myself.

The person that I was the day I graduated high school would not be able to function in the life I have now. I had to grow to get here.

But it goes even further than just living my daily life on a surface level. There’s a spiritual aspect too.

God can’t use me as I am on my own without Him. Because I’m not perfect and I’m most certainly not good enough. Yet, God loves me just the same, and even still sent Jesus for me (and you, too). God didn’t just let Jesus die on the cross, as if there was nothing to be done about His suffering.

Jesus – His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection – was intentional. It was all plan A.

And because that was all Plan A, I want to change in response. Because I don’t want to be through.

Change might be good, honestly, it might be better than that.

After all, I love Him because He first loved me (1 John 4:19).