Principles, change and fear - oh my!

There's a fine line, I think, between being principled vs stubborn, between being confident in yourself and fearing change. At that fine line, we learn something that disrupts our principles (or beliefs, assumptions, or worldview); instead of examining that disruption to determine if it's a valid reason for us to change, we reflexively reject it because we can't accept a change, or a challenge, to our principles. Instead of being secure in our confidence, we end up holding our ground because we're afraid of what change may bring. That's what came to my mind as I considered the Gospel reading for this Sunday:

Matthew 21:    28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.

As I read that I thought about the humility to accept change, and the discernment to see if that change is God's will for us. Humility and openness to change are not one-time gifts or decisions we make that stick with us for a lifetime. Well, not for me anyway. I have to continuously cultivate them in myself. And it's not easy because I'm very confident in my principles. Or am I stubbornly fearing change?

Comments

[Victor]

There's no way that I could ever think that you're stubbornly fearing change and besides how could you, I or for that matter any One else change The Words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

True that Jesus spoke in parables but we His people know that His Words can only be stretched so far and our pure heart through prayer should always tell us when we're going to far the wrong way.

I'm going to keep believing that your heart will continuously cultivate what Jesus wants of you.

I could go on and on but enough of me!

Steve, I'm glad to see that you're back sounding like your old self again.

Peace

[Patrick]

Hi Steve.

Good to see you in action here again. Change and being confident are two themes in living a full life for everyone.

It is relatively easy for us to say we need courage to change, we need to be confident in ourselves to move on when change is required. But even more so we sometimes need to be confident to continue when we are invited to stay going even when a "change" in our behaviour or actions would make life easier for us in the here and now. Difficult to know when to be confident in staying and when to be confident in moving. Making decisions and sometimes having the courage to know and choose not to be forced to make decisions, all takes a certain personal confidence and even more so a certain TRUST in ourselves and our Creator...

Personal belief in our Source is the key to fulfilling our purpopse in life and living, along with our sharing within our Community of Faith in implementing that belief...

Thank you Steve for facilitiating this Community of Faith on the airwaves. God's blessing on you and all you care for today and always.

Patrick

[Steve Bogner]

Hi Victor - Fearing change, yep that's me at times(!)

Patrick - Trust in, and that relationship with God makes all the difference, doesn't it? Thanks for droping by, and for your kinds words.

[ms]

i've never thought of it as being very complicated although also i am not likely to viewed as very religious, spiritual, god-centered, etc. i dont know if i view myself in ay of those ways. all i know is with clear honesty and honest clarity it is easier to know the what and why. if there is no need or reason to change the subject seems to not come up -- although rarely is there not somthing being said on the subject. if i am quiet and true i can see that maybe i just need to rethink or consider new options or consider the possibilities, and then once i know what it is that i need to do and actually start doing/being whatever it is, that action tends to overcome my self kicking and screaming despite knowing the futility if all the ruckus. certainly it is very easy to make things very complicated and to argue against all sorts of things on short notice but it is easier to be quiet and seeing.
i can honestly say there is nothing i would change in my life even though there are parts i wouldnt wish on anyone but as i have moved forward and not done or said things to effect change at times and at other times have gone flying headlong into change i have come to be here and all in all its not a bad place to be, even though it can be uncomfortable.... and so it goes i suppose. life happens and if i'd forgotten how true that was ike provided a good reminder.