Editor’s Note: This is the first part of a three-part series:
- Part 2 explores two key responses people can choose and need to be aware of in change. We also see how well Psalm 46 captures the experience and ideas of change.
- Part 3 gives direction from Psalm 46 for growing in nonanxious presence and offers a practical spiritual exercise to grow in having peace in life’s storms.
Quitting a job. Changing churches. Relationship changes. Moving somewhere else.
Why is there so much change right now whether it’s people or organizations or even countries? This question comes up in various ways. And I’ve heard it from many observant or curious people. Whatever the shift has been, we are seeing a lot of it.
This “COVID time of life” with quarantines and even life concerns has carried a lot. Along with pandemic-related challenges, this particular period in history has been a time of upheaval in themes of relationships, politics, justice and social issues, and even fires and natural disasters.
And such periods of high change show up not just now but in various times across marriages, premarital issues, business leadership and management, pastors, and more.
There is no where that change or upheaval in one area doesn’t cause change or upheaval in another area. It’s just a matter of where.
In such moments, we’ve all felt the angst internally. And what we’ve felt internally is often expressed externally.
What’s going on?
#1 Your Inside Coming Outside
Looking at this pandemic time, we’ve all felt the shift under our feet in some way. And we’ve all coped, seen, or expressed it in various ways.
- Quitting jobs
- Unexpected responses (social media, explosive arguments, distancing or cutting off from others, etc.)
- Taking a new direction in a long-established career
- Changing to a different church (or new people coming in from another church — or from no church)
- Recommitment to one’s personal spiritual life
- New health habits (or loss off some)
- Reinvestment in relationships
- Divorces
Clearly not all change has been bad whether today or in the past. But all of these are an expression of change and adjustment. At best it is a sign of growth. At worst it is a sign of reactivity to the circumstances around us.
But all of these are an expression of change and adjustment. At best it is a sign of growth. At worst it is a sign of reactivity to the circumstances around us.
But why is it happening?
#2 The Reason Why There Is So Much Change Right Now
Most choices are not radical directions. Nor are they surprising; many were options before.
So what is suddenly causing a response or decision now?
Systems theory describes a principle of status quo called “homeostasis”. It can occur in various contexts:
- organization/group (business, government, church)
- couple or family
- personal patterns of life…and more
The context can be any of these, but there is a common experience in them all: a pattern, a norm, a “that’s the way it usually is”.
This rhythm of life develops because chaos cannot always operate. There are areas that can be unsettled but not everything can be. We can’t keep changing — some form or pattern or rhythm develops to how we do the different areas of our life.
Sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. But a pattern does come.
For example, in God’s creating there is the sense of tying things together. Bringing life-giving order to the cosmos. And when Adam is created, the normal is shook up.
Why? Because now that there is a person, it is not good for him to be alone. So God creates Eve in response to this, so they can share life together. (Genesis 1-2)
This rhythm of life develops because chaos cannot always operate. There are areas that can be unsettled but not everything can be. We can’t keep changing — some form or pattern or rhythm develops to how we do the different areas of our life. Sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. But a pattern does come.
And, as you know, that “normal” can be disrupted both positively and negatively. For a time, there can be a small sense of chaos.
- Unexpected changes (layoff, failing a class, a promotion, a raise, major health issue, depression, etc.)
- Planned life transitions (marriage, retirement, etc.)
- Seasons of change (new year, beginning of a school year, etc.)
But when there is disruption in one area, it tends to ripple out to other areas of life. And suddenly someone is open to changing another area.
But when there is disruption in one area, it tends to ripple out to other areas of life. And suddenly someone is open to changing another area.
BUT…
The question is often whether it is good to do so — and, if so, how to decide.
So how can we better engage in times of stress or change?
Is there a way to walk with Jesus into a change in a healthy way that is not reactive but intentional?
Next Time: What’s Going On?
In the next part, we explore what the dynamics are in such times through a look at Psalm 46. And move toward practical ideas on how to live from Christ in a way that brings a nonanxious presence into the challenges.
See you then!
Check out parts 2 and 3:
- Part 1 explores why change seems to ripple in more change and the key dynamic that prompts it.
- Part 2 explores two key responses people can choose and need to be aware of in change. We also see how well Psalm 46 captures the experience and ideas of change.
- Part 3 gives direction from Psalm 46 for growing in nonanxious presence and offers a practical spiritual exercise to grow in having peace in life’s storms.
Image Credit: Biel Morro on Unsplash
