From the Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Do you like change?
Ha, ha, neither do I.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Most of us do not relish change because it causes a break in routine and goes against the grain of what we are accustomed.
It’s like the woman on the psychiatrist’s couch who says, “Actually, doc, I’m not afraid of change at all. As a matter of fact, I love change. I embrace change. I crave change – especially if it’s changing things back to the way I wanted them in the first place.”
We are, by and large, creatures of habit.
I have noticed a strange paradox with change.
However, when it comes to issues in society that I don’t like, I want to change the world, but if you change the spot where I keep my toothbrush I want to scream and shout.
I think Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian author, had it right when he said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
Perhaps the reason we can be gung ho about changing the world is that it requires others to change, instead of ourselves.
That takes no work on our part.
On the other hand, if I first make the commitment to change myself then I am in a much better and more qualified position to suggest change for others.
If you tell your son to put his clothes in the hamper, will he find a pile on your floor?
If you get disgusted at TV commercials that promote R-rated movies, do you use profane language?
Griping about the need for change in our society falls on deaf ears if the one doing the griping doesn’t want to change himself first.
But hey, bad habits die hard.
I would suggest asking the Lord to make your heart softer and more adaptable to change so that any true transformation can start with you first.
Then you can move on and start changing your world!
