I wasn’t exactly sure what to write about this week…so I found an idea on the Internet that said to put your iTunes on shuffle and write something about the lyrics at 1:35.
So, I did just that.
Random Song: Free – Switchfoot
Lyrics: Why would I do what I hate?
Here goes.
A bible verse that can relate to this piece of Switchfoot’s song would be in Romans 7:19 - “I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”
We all have things we don't like about ourselves that we do, we feel, or we say; yet we continue to do them anyway. We may be easily offended by other peoples’ comments; we may make ruthless comments that cause other people emotional harm; we may direct our anger into physical measures- hurting the ones we love. We may fall easily for any person who gives us attention and makes us feel wanted and appreciated. We may be self-interested; prioritising things in our own life over things that God wants us to focus on.
Change is hard. Change is transformational. Change is necessary.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates
Making changes in order for change to occur.
Something I’ve recently learnt is that sometimes it is necessary to make changes, readjustments in my life, in order to make room for more changes to occur. Our lives can be so easily filled up with study, work, relationships, almost-relationships, Facebook, socialising, church commitments, extra-curricular commitments, gymming, online shopping, and watching episodes online… and we forget to make room for the things that really matter…which for me is God. When we free ourselves up and give ourselves time to do the things that really matter, that have eternal value, that’s when internal change can really occur. So that’s exactly what I've done: made external changes in order for internal changes to occur.
“Change is never easy. You fight to hold on, and you fight to let go.”
Changes in behaviour begin with a change in heart.
Everything in life flows from your heart. If you are bitter inside, you will be bitter to other people. If you are hurting inside, you can begin to hurt other people. If you are joyful inside, your joy is expressed externally. If you know you are loved, you are more easily able to express love. When we align our hearts with God’s heart, our behaviours better reflect his character and who he is.
It’s all about the process.
For me, I think it’s about the process, not necessarily the end result. You might be someone who hates conflict, and will avoid it with everything you have. If you wanted to change, the end result would be being a person who is not afraid of conflict, but can deal with it in an appropriate and confident manner. However, the process of becoming that person will involve experiences of dealing with conflict, and a discovery of inner strength and confidence. The struggles we face today can present opportunities to build strength and courage to help us for whatever comes tomorrow.
We can only change ourselves.
No matter how hard we try, we cannot ‘save’ other people; we can’t change who they are, and how they react. We can only change ourselves. Sometimes change is necessary. And yes, sometimes the external changes we have to make, in order for internal change to occur, will hurt the people closest to us. But I guess that’s what makes change transformational. If it were easy for us to change, then it wouldn’t be as rewarding, and it wouldn’t be as life changing.
Change is hard. Change is transformational. Change is necessary.