A famous man once trained for a very special profession.
It was seen as prestigious. Glamourous.
One that brought honour to his family.
During his extensive training and initial attempts to operate in this role and the world he lived in, he discovered to his horror things weren't as they seemed.
Hypocrisy was rampant.
Manipulation was everywhere.
And the people tasked with good, seemed to be doing the very opposite.
In his passion to fix all this, he wrote his considered ideas and ideals down and "posted" them in a very public place.
The upshot of this much needed revelation was a revolution.
And the upshot of the revolution was that it went too far...
Along with addressing the issues of his time, many, many innocent people were killed.
Please understand that his goal was right and noble.
The pendulum of change just swung too far!
Eventually some equilibrium was experienced, but at a huge cost.
I see this phenomenon also play out on a personal level.
I see someone wanting to change something about their life for the better. They dive hard into addressing their weight, fitness, or relationship.
Sometimes the pendulum swings so far they have problems out the other side. Yoyo dieting, failed goals that sit deep, and damaged relationships litter their path of good intentions.
Over the last few years I have spoken with many people upset that their good intentions lead them down roads they regretted in hindsight.
So what is the answer to this?
How do we bring much needed change without swinging on a pendulum that creates another challenge to overcome and a price to pay?
Here is my simple advice in this regard...
1. Slow and Considered over Fast and Furious
Better to work an issue through, get great advice, rely on the skills of others, than to blindly create a whirlwind of change.
God loves to bring about Godly change through Godly people.
He has a history of it.
The Apostle Paul recommended a marathon approach to faith as opposed to a sprint.
Sprinting is all about power and purpose for a moment.
Marathon running is far more nuanced and strategic.
I learned in my running that it worked best when you had a goal, then applied strategy to meet that goal, along with a willingness to make adjustments along the way.
1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV
Run in such a way as to get the prize.
2. Rely on Outside Power over Internal Passion.
It is easy to ran fast at an issue and in a fit of passion want to be the hero of the hour.
Instead I recommend sometimes a more considered approach that may mean a little delay. Better a little delay and get it right, than passion creating a newer challenge.
John 16:13 NIV
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
3. Design a Landing Spot along with a Starting Point
Jesus said to consider first what you are looking to build before you even begin.
He understood that a godly strategy included the whole strategy. Not just desire, not just passion and desire, but a clear goal.
No one builds a house by just starting without a full design already worked through and even signed off by others.
Luke 14:28-30 NIV
28“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
In whatever you do, can I encourage you to be a world changer.
And as part of your strategy keep the pendulum in check.
I personally think the result is a lot better.
Something to think about...
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