This article is the second installment of a series developed to address change. Yesterday I wrote an article entitled “Change begins with me” (look in the table of contents) You should really ensure you begin with that article before progressing to this one. Today I am extending that article to encourage each of us to "become the chance we want to see" (Mahatma Ghandi). I believe I was correct when I began the exploration of the need for us to understand that true change in any environment begins with each of us individually. Once that individual assessment has taken place then we merge into a change combined with renewed minds of a group of people who seek common ground in order to begin a movement for the better. If we didn’t first explore the fact that it is easier to take a position that things in this world, on our jobs, in our homes, in our families stem from someone else’s influence and not ours, then we find it darn near impossible to heal broken situations, because of course someone else is the problem not me. They’re the ones who need fixing, not me. I don’t want to pretend that there aren’t barriers in our lives that other people contribute to, having said that it is equally important for each of us to be honest with ourselves and explore the contributing factors our behaviors, attitudes, and choices have brought to bear on our current situation.
R. Kelly sang a song “I believe I can fly”. In that song it had one line that I believe speaks directly to the principle of being the change you want to see. The line went like this, “If I can see it, then I can do it, if I just believe it there's nothing to it.” In order for change to take root you must first believe that change is possible. You must believe that change must happen and you must be committed to ensuring that change happens!
Steps to ensuring change happens:
- Admit that there are something’s that need to change
- Take responsibility for the role you’ve played in the current state of affairs.
- Take a proactive role in isolating those areas in your life that need to be surgically removed. (i.e; People in your life who are more of a liability than an asset, mindsets in your life that tear you down and prevent growth, substances that prevent physical and mental health, environments that are toxic, poisonous to your sanity.)
Perform the surgery and remove those toxic, unhealthy elements.
How do you move into becoming the change you want to see? Great question.
1. You must be transformed by the renewing of your mind. All unhealthy habits, beliefs, and practices that you have been feed over the years whether by television, through conversations from well-meaning people, by way of learned behaviors must be analyzed through a sound base of reference. Bottom line if what you’ve been doing over these however many years has kept you in bondage you’re getting your advice from the wrong source. Change your source. Of course the correct source is the Operators manual the bible. In it you find answers to every life issue you will face. Remember it took you a while to get to the mental state you’re in so be patient with yourself, remain focused, consistent, and fight like your very life depends on it. Because in fact your very life may depend on it!
2. You must surround yourself with people who are positive, people who exemplify the change you want to see.
3. Apply the newly learned behaviors to your everyday life. You don’t want the behaviors to be forced or fake. The newly learned behaviors should emulate, reflect exactly who you’ve become.
4. Lead change by example. Don’t peach it and hide behind a rock, step out boldly and trust that God is in the midst of the change and will support your efforts to heal a broken situation. Remember this change is going to be drastic. We’ve been admonished to stand on this very principle of broken relationships. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways (change) then will I hear from heaven then will I heal their land.”
5. Use all the weapons at your disposal to bring about change. (i.e; prayer, scripture, praise and worship, liturgical dance, fasting, silence.) Stand on these guiding principles – “if God be for you who can be against you? No weapon formed against you shall prosper. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shelter of the Almighty, though one thousand may fall at your left hand and ten thousand at your right it (whatever “it” is) shall not come near you. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. God is a very present help in a time of trouble.”
6. Trust the processes. At the end of the day you must trust the process and the One who created the process. If you follow these principles I am certain you will become the change you want to see!
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