Changes are inevitable. Some changes are pleasant, and some are painful. However, Christians who love the Lord could anticipate good results in faith. (Romans 8:28) According to author Jurie Kriel, four catalysts bring about change.
1) Crisis: Some could be personal, and others could impact the wider community, even the whole globe. The younger son, who wandered away from home, met with a crisis. Used to sumptuous food and a comfortable life, he was reduced to taking for pigs and thought pigs were having better food than him. That crisis led him to reflect on his life, realise and recognise his foolishness, repent from his sinfulness, and return to his father. (Luke 15: 11-32) Incidents like world wars or Pandemic, affect almost all nations. Covid Pandemic accelerated video conferencing and remote work.
2) Disruption: Unlike a crisis, disruption is a gradual process. Sadly, people ignore the signs of change and become victims of it. It is like a small hole in a ship; the water may be seeping in gradually, but unless the hole is fixed, the danger increases every moment, until the ship is sunk. Disruptive technology leaves many people without a job or livelihood, and businesses reduced to bankruptcy. Camera companies disappeared as smartphones with cameras overwhelmed the market.
3) Innovation: Self-initiated action. It leads to personal and collective growth and improvement. David’s self-initiated action against Goliath was reluctantly approved by King Saul. Nevertheless, David’s innovative war strategy, just using a sling and a stone, succeeded in defeating Goliath and the challenges from Philistine. (I Samuel 17: 41-52) God directs some innovations that could benefit a nation. Esther fought against Haman by innovatively providing a banquet twice, where he was an esteemed guest. (Esther 5:4)
4) Obedience: Moses’ obedience brought deliverance to the Children of Israel from slavery to be established as a Nation. (Hebrews 11:24-26) The Bible has several characters who obeyed God in faith. Acts like Martin Luther’s 95 Theses profoundly shaped the course of the history of the world. William Carey’s obedience triggered a global mission movement.
Do I embrace change in faith to accomplish great things for God?