I have been thinking about Change Theory quite a bit lately. Surprisingly, it has a lot to do with our spiritual state – our relationship with the LORD. I learned Change Theory as an Enterprise Architect. Since beginning this ministry, God has used it to help me understand and communicate the spiritual concepts of transformation and disciple making. I believe He would have me share a part of that theory with you.
As a management philosophy, Change Theory seeks to explain how systems, individuals and groups are motivated and managed from one state to another. In my vocation, that included the implementation of new technology, new technology development processes and new business processes (all in the banking industry). In a more general sense, Change Theory applies to every part of our lives: Adding quality controls in manufacturing, moving to a new town, changing church fellowships, becoming a married person, etc.
It shouldn’t surprise you that Change Theory also applies to our spiritual lives. Read 2Corinthians 3:18 and you will understand what I mean. The normal Christian life is a life filled with change; at least it should be. Moving from one state of “the glory of the Lord” to the next is God’s way for our maturing in Jesus Christ.
People are generally motivated to change either by the pain of their current state, or by the promise of their future state’s benefit. The Father’s heart is for us to be motivated by His promises; but He is not slow in using pain to get us moving in the right direction. Regrettably, this is the way for most Christians; primarily due to our desire for comfort and our fear of the unknown.
We really need to have our minds renewed about this; for at least three reasons:
- God is persistent. He will increase the pain of our current state until we will go anywhere He suggests.
- Making decisions in the midst of intense pain can get emotional; creating greater risk for deception.
- God’s way is always the best way.
God has put a desire in every Christian’s heart for the next state of their maturity in Jesus Christ. He has promised to give us that desire (Psalm 37:4). The key is our surrender to Him (“delight” is a mistranslation of the Hebrew – anag – which means “to be soft”). Ask your heart what desire God has placed there for this season of your life. It will respond; and that understanding will be invaluable in your journey.
The Third Component
The third component of Change Theory is the transformation path from the current to the future state. In my corporate experience this proved to be the most challenging; for it is one thing to convince an executive they need to make a change, and another to convince them that they can safely move from one state to another. Consequently, every transition plan was filled with a myriad of contingencies and backed by the assurances and fervent commitments of every department involved. Many times, even that was not enough; the executive deciding to continue in their painful existence.
I think you can see how this corporate experience mirrors our journey in the kingdom of God. We all want contingencies and assurances before we start out on our transformation journey with the Holy Spirit. After all, He is wild and unpredictable. Regrettably (or not), this does not conform to God’s way of maturing His children. Why? Simply because it lacks the faith God requires. Psalm 37:5 says it well:
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
In His grace and love, God requires our trust at the very beginning of the journey. This is our first opportunity to grow in the faith we will need for our future state assignment. Here is what such a statement of trust might sound like:
Father in heaven, I believe that you love me. I believe you have a plan for me. I believe you are calling me out – to find a state of glory greater than the one I am in. I believe you can get me there. I don’t know how, but I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen
This is a prayer that God will honor. It is a prayer that will begin a wonderfully challenging adventure – an adventure that will bring you closer to God than you have ever been; an adventure that will bring glory to your Father in heaven.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:6
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Please contact me if you are encouraged to begin your adventure. It would be a blessing to help you get started.
Humbly yours and forever His,
