Recently … Jeanie & I have been watching the TV show called “Dancing with the Stars!” It’s actually quite a nice change from the cutthroat reality shows … and other offerings these days …
Here's the deal though ... if Jeanie & I tried to dance like those stars I know I would be stepping all over her feet! The dance lessons these stars had to engage in where critical to their success! What was once clumsy became more and more polished … and soon the stars began to truly shine in their routines! With trust building in each other … the dancer’s learned to waltz … rumba … tango & free-style dance with minimal damage to their toes and self-esteem!
I believe that handling change in life is like a dance. When change comes … the people that are involved are greatly influenced by each other's steps. The most masterful dancers know how to lead confidently, and yet gently move their partner into a beautiful forward motion. When time is given to mastering each step, the dance eventually becomes fun & enjoyable … instead of hard work.
What is the Nature of Change?
Well … we know that Jesus wrestled with change! There was the daily reality of adoring crowds pressing against Him … and yet … there was the move into the contrasting image of His disciples running away from Him in rejection and fear. Change was apparently part of God's redemptive story for humanity. I hate change ... yet ... I know that there are some realities that constantly accompany the transitions in our lives … both personal change and corporate change! For example … change is usually hard for people. Transitioning or changing from one known … and comfortable reality to another unseen reality is something that can break even the most flexible among us!
Change is also good. We need to keep moving ahead or we get caught in a rut! In the ruts … we never ponder where we've been and where we are, and never becoming all that God wants us to be. Change is good because it leads us to growth! If we can embrace these two truths … that change is both hard and good … we will grow and be more fruitful in the changes of life’s journey!
As a leader, I have made transitions with other leaders! I have moved large groups of people over time and changed with small groups of people very quickly. I've changed and exchanged roles as a supervisor, laborer, and pastor … chief cook and bottle washer … and each time I have taken mental notes as to what I would do again … and what I wouldn’t!
I have initiated major changes … and major changes have initiated me. I am experienceing a major change right now! After 17 years of service on air at WITR-FM in Rochester, NY ... I was told Christian Radio was not relevant to the community they wanted to reach. I am heartbroken ... and yet at the end of the day, a life without change is a life without adventure! Jesus chose the Kingdom adventure! I do too!
Let me share a few "dance steps" I have developed in my experiences with the changes in life. Let’s call it the “Dance of Change!” Like learning to dance, going along with change requires that we pay attention to the right steps, with practice, and growing confidence in our Guide! I have watched leaders dance with grace as the people they influenced went through seasons of change!
I have also watched leaders jerk their partners around and expect the dance to be enjoyable! The end result there is people getting their toes stepped on! We need to think about the steps as we dance through change!
First … we should take our time! There is no hurry! Sure … some change must come overnight … and sometimes we don't have enough time to positively enact change because of our impatience!
In seasons of change … our emotions run high and we feel a sense of urgency about ... well ... almost everything. I have been changing and dancing into the role of senior pastor of our church … over the past 7 years. It has been a slow dance. Sometimes change is like turning a huge ship around … is happens very slowly! However, the result is that things seem to be virtually on track … though not always perfect!
In change … we can’t let our emotions dictate the speed of change. Feelings are often unreliable … especially when change has to come due to our stress level. We need to seek the Lord for His timing whenever change comes … and … take the slower path whenever we are in doubt! Then … if at the end of the day we and our godly counselors believe the change should happen quickly … we can adjust & make our change with confidence! We simply have to let God lead!
I have assigned people to different tasks and made some decisions in over the years that have affected our fellowship. One person once told me, "Samme, if you think it's okay, we'll think it's okay." He was speaking to my need to move ahead confidently with faith in God regarding the changes we were undertaking!
Here’s the deal … once we have heard God, we must not look back or waffle in doubt or the questions that come up! We need to address each question well, but then set our eyes to the new horizon. In other words ... Keep dancing!
When dancing, moving too fast or too slowly, is equally damaging! We want to be able to glide from one state of affairs to another. During the times of change , we shouldn’t look to others for a sense of confirmation! If God told us to do it, then we need to do it with faith and trust in Him. We simply let Him lead!
I heard that for every action there is an equal and opposite criticism. When people begin to question us … we shouldn’t stop (which is going slower than God) or jump ship … (which is going faster than God!) We simply need to be faithful and obedient … and let HIM lead!
That doesn’t mean we should ignore others! Many people in times of change become less open to criticism and guidance! We can listen to people’s concerns and answer them wisely. Remember … if God is leading, people can have all sorts of opinions on how well we are dancing, BUT ... that doesn’t mean they get to lead. The truth is though that if we are willing to chat with the people directly affected by the changes we are going through now … they may ask the questions we will need to address later!
Don't be afraid of the dance of change! Just continue to ask God for direction during a season of change. Ask Him the hard questions … "What are you after in me, God," "Is there anything I’m not handling well," "Is there someone I have dishonored in this time of change", or "Are my emotions getting in the way of Your purposes here, God?" Asking the hard questions early in the dance saves us from getting our toes steeped on later!
Sometimes change comes because someone else has an agenda of their own! Most people can smell a hidden agenda a mile away. As best as we can … we need to be honest with everyone that is going through the change with us! Honesty remains the best policy, and those we lead will trust that we have their best interests in mind, even when we have make changes that are hard! God is always honest with us!
The dance requires us to be loving and generous to our family and friends that have supported us through the time of change. Be happy as they watch you dance … give them something to laugh about as well something to pray about! In the dance of change … we need to embrace the fruit of the Spirit! That greatly raise the chances that we will come through the change with glory!
In change there are voices that we hear in the background! They could be asking the right questions … even if they sound negative and distrustful! It could simply be their "hurt" talking as they change with us! We shouldn’t avoid people that are finding the changes hard. We all have to go through some personal changes … and if we are dancing together … it will be easier and much more fun!
We can keep a journal of what we perceive God is after during the change in our life! We need to be mindful of the heart goals in discipleship, maturity and transformation … not just practical changes and increased "ministry opportunity" language. As I lead Oasis in the dance of change … it’s my job to help my team … and our church … see the future we had ahead of us!
Part of the dance is watching the other people on the dance floor in order not to crash into them! Vision comes from the Latin root "visio", which means "to see." In times of change we see beyond and behind of us! Depending on what we see ahead … we can adjust our dance In change … we can adjust to what we see ahead! By looking ahead we increase our hope and comfort instead of being consumed only with the present.
In a square dance … sometimes a person’s partner is twirled & then caught by another! If that person is not there … well … the person being twirled is left alone! It’s like dropping the ball when we should be carrying it! And yet, dropping the ball is good when it’s someone else's turn to pick it up!
There are seasons of change in our lives when we are supposed to drop the ball because it is someone else’s turn to carry it! There are ways to "stay and go" at the same time! I remember when my Dad virtually turned over the family to me as the elder brother! He didn’t go anywhere … but the family decisions were more on me than him! He stayed … yet … he gave me the ball to carry! Every leader raises someone else up to take their place when the dance of change is complete.
That’s when we let them get on the dance floor & dance! We might offer our perspective and influence to those in transition … but we need to allow them the space to "find their feet" in the new season they are in and let God lead them! We don’t need to rescue everyone from the dance! We shouldn’t “cut-in” on God! They might step on God’s toes a few times … but He can take it!
Here’s my bottom line … every time our head hits the pillow … and another day of dance has been completed … we can once again give our aches and pains to God.
As each “day of change” is checked off our calendar … God wants to hear our thoughts as we think about the forward movement that we and those we "dance with" press on! We can use our words and heart songs in our language of prayer during these times … voicing our confidence that God will complete the good work that we believe He's begun. After all the reason He has brought change is because He’s after our heart and the hearts of those involved.
We will all go through the experience of change! The changes we have been personally point to this truth … obedience to Christ in a season of change is essential!
1 Peter 4:8 says … "love covers a multitude of sins!" In the process of the dance of change … a good leader can cover up the greatest missteps! Well, who greater to lead than Jesus?
We need to dance the dance by embracing obedience … and making those moves with confidence … knowing that "He who began a good work in us ..." (Phil. 1:6) will faithfully complete the transformation of our heart through the next change! Love well and learn well from your season of change - and learn to enjoy the dance.
Amen!
Here's the deal though ... if Jeanie & I tried to dance like those stars I know I would be stepping all over her feet! The dance lessons these stars had to engage in where critical to their success! What was once clumsy became more and more polished … and soon the stars began to truly shine in their routines! With trust building in each other … the dancer’s learned to waltz … rumba … tango & free-style dance with minimal damage to their toes and self-esteem!
I believe that handling change in life is like a dance. When change comes … the people that are involved are greatly influenced by each other's steps. The most masterful dancers know how to lead confidently, and yet gently move their partner into a beautiful forward motion. When time is given to mastering each step, the dance eventually becomes fun & enjoyable … instead of hard work.
What is the Nature of Change?
Well … we know that Jesus wrestled with change! There was the daily reality of adoring crowds pressing against Him … and yet … there was the move into the contrasting image of His disciples running away from Him in rejection and fear. Change was apparently part of God's redemptive story for humanity. I hate change ... yet ... I know that there are some realities that constantly accompany the transitions in our lives … both personal change and corporate change! For example … change is usually hard for people. Transitioning or changing from one known … and comfortable reality to another unseen reality is something that can break even the most flexible among us!
Change is also good. We need to keep moving ahead or we get caught in a rut! In the ruts … we never ponder where we've been and where we are, and never becoming all that God wants us to be. Change is good because it leads us to growth! If we can embrace these two truths … that change is both hard and good … we will grow and be more fruitful in the changes of life’s journey!
As a leader, I have made transitions with other leaders! I have moved large groups of people over time and changed with small groups of people very quickly. I've changed and exchanged roles as a supervisor, laborer, and pastor … chief cook and bottle washer … and each time I have taken mental notes as to what I would do again … and what I wouldn’t!
I have initiated major changes … and major changes have initiated me. I am experienceing a major change right now! After 17 years of service on air at WITR-FM in Rochester, NY ... I was told Christian Radio was not relevant to the community they wanted to reach. I am heartbroken ... and yet at the end of the day, a life without change is a life without adventure! Jesus chose the Kingdom adventure! I do too!
Let me share a few "dance steps" I have developed in my experiences with the changes in life. Let’s call it the “Dance of Change!” Like learning to dance, going along with change requires that we pay attention to the right steps, with practice, and growing confidence in our Guide! I have watched leaders dance with grace as the people they influenced went through seasons of change!
I have also watched leaders jerk their partners around and expect the dance to be enjoyable! The end result there is people getting their toes stepped on! We need to think about the steps as we dance through change!
First … we should take our time! There is no hurry! Sure … some change must come overnight … and sometimes we don't have enough time to positively enact change because of our impatience!
In seasons of change … our emotions run high and we feel a sense of urgency about ... well ... almost everything. I have been changing and dancing into the role of senior pastor of our church … over the past 7 years. It has been a slow dance. Sometimes change is like turning a huge ship around … is happens very slowly! However, the result is that things seem to be virtually on track … though not always perfect!
In change … we can’t let our emotions dictate the speed of change. Feelings are often unreliable … especially when change has to come due to our stress level. We need to seek the Lord for His timing whenever change comes … and … take the slower path whenever we are in doubt! Then … if at the end of the day we and our godly counselors believe the change should happen quickly … we can adjust & make our change with confidence! We simply have to let God lead!
I have assigned people to different tasks and made some decisions in over the years that have affected our fellowship. One person once told me, "Samme, if you think it's okay, we'll think it's okay." He was speaking to my need to move ahead confidently with faith in God regarding the changes we were undertaking!
Here’s the deal … once we have heard God, we must not look back or waffle in doubt or the questions that come up! We need to address each question well, but then set our eyes to the new horizon. In other words ... Keep dancing!
When dancing, moving too fast or too slowly, is equally damaging! We want to be able to glide from one state of affairs to another. During the times of change , we shouldn’t look to others for a sense of confirmation! If God told us to do it, then we need to do it with faith and trust in Him. We simply let Him lead!
I heard that for every action there is an equal and opposite criticism. When people begin to question us … we shouldn’t stop (which is going slower than God) or jump ship … (which is going faster than God!) We simply need to be faithful and obedient … and let HIM lead!
That doesn’t mean we should ignore others! Many people in times of change become less open to criticism and guidance! We can listen to people’s concerns and answer them wisely. Remember … if God is leading, people can have all sorts of opinions on how well we are dancing, BUT ... that doesn’t mean they get to lead. The truth is though that if we are willing to chat with the people directly affected by the changes we are going through now … they may ask the questions we will need to address later!
Don't be afraid of the dance of change! Just continue to ask God for direction during a season of change. Ask Him the hard questions … "What are you after in me, God," "Is there anything I’m not handling well," "Is there someone I have dishonored in this time of change", or "Are my emotions getting in the way of Your purposes here, God?" Asking the hard questions early in the dance saves us from getting our toes steeped on later!
Sometimes change comes because someone else has an agenda of their own! Most people can smell a hidden agenda a mile away. As best as we can … we need to be honest with everyone that is going through the change with us! Honesty remains the best policy, and those we lead will trust that we have their best interests in mind, even when we have make changes that are hard! God is always honest with us!
The dance requires us to be loving and generous to our family and friends that have supported us through the time of change. Be happy as they watch you dance … give them something to laugh about as well something to pray about! In the dance of change … we need to embrace the fruit of the Spirit! That greatly raise the chances that we will come through the change with glory!
In change there are voices that we hear in the background! They could be asking the right questions … even if they sound negative and distrustful! It could simply be their "hurt" talking as they change with us! We shouldn’t avoid people that are finding the changes hard. We all have to go through some personal changes … and if we are dancing together … it will be easier and much more fun!
We can keep a journal of what we perceive God is after during the change in our life! We need to be mindful of the heart goals in discipleship, maturity and transformation … not just practical changes and increased "ministry opportunity" language. As I lead Oasis in the dance of change … it’s my job to help my team … and our church … see the future we had ahead of us!
Part of the dance is watching the other people on the dance floor in order not to crash into them! Vision comes from the Latin root "visio", which means "to see." In times of change we see beyond and behind of us! Depending on what we see ahead … we can adjust our dance In change … we can adjust to what we see ahead! By looking ahead we increase our hope and comfort instead of being consumed only with the present.
In a square dance … sometimes a person’s partner is twirled & then caught by another! If that person is not there … well … the person being twirled is left alone! It’s like dropping the ball when we should be carrying it! And yet, dropping the ball is good when it’s someone else's turn to pick it up!
There are seasons of change in our lives when we are supposed to drop the ball because it is someone else’s turn to carry it! There are ways to "stay and go" at the same time! I remember when my Dad virtually turned over the family to me as the elder brother! He didn’t go anywhere … but the family decisions were more on me than him! He stayed … yet … he gave me the ball to carry! Every leader raises someone else up to take their place when the dance of change is complete.
That’s when we let them get on the dance floor & dance! We might offer our perspective and influence to those in transition … but we need to allow them the space to "find their feet" in the new season they are in and let God lead them! We don’t need to rescue everyone from the dance! We shouldn’t “cut-in” on God! They might step on God’s toes a few times … but He can take it!
Here’s my bottom line … every time our head hits the pillow … and another day of dance has been completed … we can once again give our aches and pains to God.
As each “day of change” is checked off our calendar … God wants to hear our thoughts as we think about the forward movement that we and those we "dance with" press on! We can use our words and heart songs in our language of prayer during these times … voicing our confidence that God will complete the good work that we believe He's begun. After all the reason He has brought change is because He’s after our heart and the hearts of those involved.
We will all go through the experience of change! The changes we have been personally point to this truth … obedience to Christ in a season of change is essential!
1 Peter 4:8 says … "love covers a multitude of sins!" In the process of the dance of change … a good leader can cover up the greatest missteps! Well, who greater to lead than Jesus?
We need to dance the dance by embracing obedience … and making those moves with confidence … knowing that "He who began a good work in us ..." (Phil. 1:6) will faithfully complete the transformation of our heart through the next change! Love well and learn well from your season of change - and learn to enjoy the dance.
Amen!
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