The Challenges of Newness

Newness in a sense is change. Changing from to now. Some change can be easy, some difficult, some scary because of unknowns, some we cause or sometimes others causes us to.  Change.  So how do you respond to change?
Change challenges all of us to do our very best. Are you keeping up with the worldly changes going on around us?  Most of that is out of our control, yet it does or will affect our lives. What about personal change? What did you learn from last year? What are you happy with vs what you are not?   In knowing what you learned, how can you apply that to this year, to make a positive change?  It’s a process, a movement towards a goal.  Goals put change in action.  Knowledge isn’t enough, we know that we need to change, but how do we do it.  What Newness, what Change are you seeking?  So, “What are you going to do about it?”

As a leader of a business, Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-Fil-A; addresses these issues embracing inevitable change,
in the RNM Video titled “Embrace Change”.  Effective leaders are life-long learners, engaged, involved, sensitive, approachable, intuitive, real, authentic.  He shares how to lead from the front line, work with those under your guidance with clarity and purpose, be engaged in the challenges of their lives, to be real from the heart with your encouragement and comments. He goes on to say that “The truth is things never stay the same, change is inevitable. There needs to be clarity in your leadership. Stand behind your commitments, stay true to your values, then live out your commitment.”
He shared that he carries with him his smart phone, just like we all do. It’s symbolic of worldly change with all that it can do.  He also carries a pocket size Bible. Based on scripture Dan Cathy says to trust Biblical Truths, to glorify God and be a faithful steward of all He has entrusted to you. Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 reads:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”.
Have a positive impact on those you encounter. It’s keeping the balance between worldly change and God’s values.

In “Balance Change and Continuity” in RNM by Bill Pollard, former CEO of ServiceMaster, he explains how change upsets the status quo, it affects everyone, we need to evolve, not dissolve. Don’t be afraid of change, life is always understood better backwards than forward. There must be continuity – if an organization doesn’t change it will die.
If you don’t change with it, you will be part of the dying process. He sees that businesses and organizations needs to be continually changing, and so do we as individuals. All things change, else it dies.
Mr. Pollard went on to share that we need to adopt “The Posture of Indebtedness” -  as a leader, engage in the work of those who follow you. You need to learn to serve, that helps to navigate change. It keeps spirits high and helps to build trust. You need an attitude of service and a spirit of humility, that’s the key to serving others well. Pride will shove humility into the file cabinet, you will be called out if you give in to your pride.
He goes on to say, Servant leadership sets the tone for growth, you will see it not only in the results of temporal value in the tangible things in the business;  but in the changed lives of those you lead, an Eternal value.  The work environment affects the person we are becoming. Whether you are the leader or the servant (worker) invest your life wisely for the good return.  It’s an investment in the lives of others. There’s a return of a productive life for those you mentor, and care for, and love.

It’s working with others through change. Finding accountability partners, if necessary, to help to navigate the change. Positivity towards the change. Setting goals towards the change that we want or need to make. Embracing it.

Hayley Miller in RNM series on ”Motivating Children”, speaks of motivating children and pouring into their lives. One of the statements that she made was, “The bare minimum we are asked to do, is the maximum effort we will put forth”.  This is true for most of us.  She also shared the difference between Praise and Encouragement, that “praise discusses results, and encouragement notices the effort and progress of change.” Everyone wants to be praised and encouraged.  Lets  be encouragers of others. Notice their efforts, their progress of change.  It keeps us motivated.

As we heard Sunday, “ Don’t Limit your Challenges…Challenge your Limits”.
Towards the change that you want to make - is it bare minimum? Or maximum effort?  We are not going to change unless we want to.  Are you alive?  Or Dying?
Larry & Darlene