Can we handle the changes we desire?

Steve Lyston, Contributor

Many persons locally and globally, and in particular the poor, are crying out for change in 2014. They want changes economically, governmentally and in all sectors. But are we really ready for change?

Change can come in different ways. Each season brings different opportunities and different kinds and levels of access. But in order for change to come, we must first be willing to change. Are we ready to change our mindset and our way of thinking in order to allow change to come?

Romans 12 tells us to renew our minds and begin to review our attitudes, motives and identify the basis of our foundation; to see on what is our foundation built.

Many say they want to see things change, but they are unwilling to change. Some are looking to their inner circle; some are looking at/to the strength of their empire, and others to the military or their economy. They don't believe they need to change.

However, we must recognise that anything that is not built on the foundation of God, and if our trust is not in God, then we will crumble in a season of paradigm shifts.

Are we willing to look at our stewardship and our communication skills?

Many leaders will not experience positive change unless they are willing to do something different. We all have to put our faith in action, particularly regarding crime reduction, law and order, and the economy.

We all need to learn from King Ahasuerus, who sought wise counsel in order to understand times, seasons, laws and justice to maintain integrity within his administration. He started the change within His household first (Esther 1).

Change necessary

The wise counsellors knew that leadership involves serious responsibilities, and that when one ignores his responsibilities then it is time for a change. If the king did not make the change necessary, then it would have cost him his kingship.

In our daily communication as leaders we must be willing first to listen to persons at all levels; especially to those below us. Every leader should learn and employ the communication skills used by Jesus.

Jesus listened even to the prostitute who was a significant influence in His ministry. Not only did Jesus communicate with the then elite in the mountains, but He also communicated with the common man in the plains. He communicated clearly so that they could understand without being or sounding condescending to the people.

Most leaders today do not communicate for the normal man to understand; they simply use jargon and terminologies that only those within their circles understand - and barely so. Unless leaders begin improving their communication skills (Mark 12: 37; Luke 6: 17; Matthew 5: 1) then they are going to be swept away in the change.

In order to have and maintain positive changes, the Church and the secular sectors need to unite to deal with the problems ahead. A prime example of this occurred with Joseph and Pharaoh.

They both had to unite so that Egypt could remain strong during the famine, so much so that other nations would come to them for help during the economic hardship.

Likewise, Joseph had to adapt to the Egyptian culture while staying true to God.

Planning and discipline are key elements when it comes to change. We have to plan ahead for good times and bad. We must have empty rooms for expansion and filled rooms in the event of bad times. We must also have the discipline to maintain it all, and to be effective in this year of change.

We must learn from the ants, who can teach us to be industrious; from the rock badger, who will teach us how to survive; the locust, who teaches us how to cooperate even if there is no leader; and the spider, who will teach us how to accomplish through consistency.

We need to begin recording our goals and objectives for the positive change that we require. But God must be the centre of our plans. Never resist positive change.

Changes will bring us out of our comfort zones, but it will also bring out of us the hidden gifts and potentials that are within us.

If negative change happens, then know that it may very well be an opportunity that is opening up for positive changes to take place for you.

All the best for the year ahead.

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.