RE-newal

Change. If there is just one word in the English language that captures the heart of the human condition it is change. In fact, it is said that the only constant in our lives is change. But it is how we respond to change it dictates the quality of our lives, and our relationships.

Change?

I believe there are two kinds of change. One kind is change around us. External change can be massively disrupting – or simply accepted as a natural part of the beauty of life. External change comes in all forms. It could be that flight to Chicago that’s 20 minutes late or it could be the tragic loss of a child. Believing that we can control the flow of life will inevitably lead to a loss of vitality and the ability to “let go and accept what is.”

Often we talk about feeling out of control or that we are losing control when in reality we’ve NEVER had control. All we had was the illusion of control. So we give up joy and flexibility in our lives for an allusion… Sounds like a lousy exchange to me.

Internal change

The other kind of change is internal. Actually REnewing ourselves. Renewal can be defined as beginning again. a new start, a new slate, a do over! I know I know, there are some of you out there who believe that a new beginning is a pipe dream. That it is a myth, sounds good but doesn’t translate to reality. “People don’t change”, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, many do believe that change is impossible. So what do you think?

I believe that we as humans are capable of sky splitting change. It is the most underused commodity in life. I often say that God equipped us with an amazing capacity to change, we just don’t use it very often. That includes me. Renewal, beginning again, whether it is on a large scale or a small scale is one of the most beautiful things in life. And it is available to us until we draw our last breath.

What not?

So why don’t we use it more often? One thing I have observed is that people will not make a change in their life unless they are faced with the loss of something they’re not prepared to live without. Now I want to encourage you to read that last sentence again slowly and decide if it is true for you. 

One of the really amazing mysteries of life for me is that God/Higher Power allows us to choose whether we are going to change or not. He never kicks the door in. If I were God, and I know the simple thought of that is terrifying for those close to me, I would be kicking doors in all the time. But he lets us choose. And once we are convinced it is clearly in our best interest to begin again, to change, we will do it. We may need some help from those around us who care about us and from God but we will do it. Beginning again, a do over… what a beautiful thing!

Jon