Saturday, November 8, 2008

Change

I've been reading a lot about change, as I'm sure we all are because of the mantra of change thorughout this political campaign. I read a blog entry recently about change, marketing, branding, and making sure not to fake ourselves out - that outward changes are no good without inward change....I can't remember which blog it was - so I'm sorry I can't give credit --- if it is your blog, tell me so I can give you credit! I can't stop thinking about that entry.... here is my response to it:

I'm pretty sure it's just ingrained in my personality to love change. Weird enough, I thrive on routine but I love change. I love organization but I just feel the need for constant change... the organization I guess is the melancholy side and the need for constant change is the driver side (from Personality Plus -- love that book).

It seems to me, when people feel the need for change, they always start on the outside. This is true individually and corporately in any field. Marketers try to change the advertisements or packaging.... churches try to change the marketing material & look of the church... people get new hairstyles, start exercising more or buy new clothes...

but the Bible teaches us differently. I will put this on an individual level but really on my heart right now is the corporate level.

It seems to me that if God is stirring us that it's time to change - and we go out and cut and dye our hair - we have just totally missed His point and we're faking ourselves out. Jesus taught us to be careful of people & organizations that do this (like the Pharisees in Matthew). But, when we allow Him to change us inside... then the outward follows. The first thing to prosper should always be inside - the unseen.

I think this is a great lesson for any person or any organization. If you feel the need for change - BE the change you want to see by allowing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to re-train your brain, your heart, your thoughts... which will change your habits.. which will change your actions... which will change your life.

There's never a successful transformation inside that doesn't somehow show itself on the outside. BUT if you just make changes on the outside (hoping the inside will follow), that never changes the inside long term. And you will be headed down an unsatisfying path of wander and disappointment.

I truly believe we all need to focus on the inside change above all else --- rather than trying to convince others with our appearances we are changed --- show them by our lives, allowing Him to change us to be the change we want to see in the world.

12 comments:

babyfordawn1983 said...

I love this blog! People and corporations (which are the worse at change) are always trying to change themselves on the outside and are so fake. That's one thing that really makes me mad is fakeness. I can't say that I have always been straight forward but as I have grown I have learned that it doesn't matter what is on the outside it is what's on the inside. Love ya!

Randi Jo :) said...

thanks dawn!!

I think all of us are 'fake' intentional or not at least some of the time. It's our natural instinct to hide our weaknesses /imperfections rather than admitting it and allowing Him to get rid of them/change us.

love ya! :)

Unknown said...

Hi!! Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your encouraging coment!!! So nice to meet you!
:)
God Bless

Unknown said...

Hi!! Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your encouraging coment!!! So nice to meet you!
:)
God Bless

Rebekah said...

Enjoyed this post, Randi Jo! I also love change. I love it so much that I'll move a picture, or a piece of furniture, or even rearrange a drawer just to experience it! I have also read the same book about personality and I love it too! I went around testing all of my relatives because I thought it was important for them to know there personality and everyone else's in the family so we'd all understand each other! :)
I did this with my husband's family and my own until I ran out of people. Then I had to start testing my co-workers. LOL!

P.S. Your blog looks great! It's so you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Randi Jo, I love the way you described effective change from the inside - out, allowing God's Spirit to transform us in our thoughts and hearts. Thanks so much for this, and God bless :)

Anonymous said...

We had an interesting discussion in Sunday School on Sunday. When you build a building, you'd better get the foundation right. Once the foundation is laid, you can build whatever you like on it. Then if you want to change that, you can change what's built on the foundation as many times as you like. But if the foundation is bad and you have to redo something in the foundation, it is impossible to alter the foundation without destroying the whole building. Great post! Sorry to have disappeared for awhile. Back into blogging now!

Anonymous said...

Great post - inside out - very inspirational. I have so enjoyed your blog.

Toia said...

I think change prevents people from being complacent and get stuck in a comfort zone or rut. Sometimes certain changes may not be what we want, but it may be what we need. In the midst of change, the best thing to do is to put everything totally and completely in God's hand.......trusting Him whole heartedly and not leaning on our own understanding. And realize that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Great post.

Randi Jo :) said...

thanks to each of you. your comments mean so much to me and they really speak to my heart!!

love you lots!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Randi Jo! Mind if I add your blog on my Blogroll? :)

Anonymous said...

Hey thanks for adding me too. I can't really remember how I got into your blog. I was just clicking around. I might have googled on a certain topic and arrived here lol. Thanks again! Blessings to you! :)