How do you know if you’re part of change that lasts?
A phrase I’ve heard a lot here lately is “tipping point.” In our current context, the question is: “Is the horrific death of George Floyd the tipping point to bring racial inequality to a resolution and change?”
I don’t know.
There have been plenty of events in history that were indeed tipping points. They brought about change that lasts. It hasn’t always been good change, but change nonetheless.
Subjectively again, the George Floyd tragedy somehow “feels” different for me. Ask me in 10 years if this was indeed a tipping point. We should know something by then.
What I’m more interested in today is your personal tipping point. What happens in your own life to bring about change that lasts?
Here’s my thesis: If it was genuine, it will last.
We’ve all been caught up in emotions and had all the “feels.” Then, when the emotions subside and the feels go away, we’re back to where we once were. I’m not discrediting the human need to feel good. We all know that feelings can be great betrayers. They will for sure lie to you.
So how do you recognize authenticity? How do you know if something is genuine?
If you want change that lasts, it needs to be because God has ordained it.
We could spend some time discussing what it means to hear God’s voice, how to distinguish it from the myriad other voices we’re being bombarded with. For me, it tends to be a still, small voice – although there have been times when God has had to holler at me to get my attention.
Here’s what I mean. Let’s say you’ve been faced with a personal crisis or need. If you’re a believer, you sought God for clarity, comfort, and direction. You acted as best you knew how.
You felt great. Life had purpose. There was a sense of direction. You forged ahead.
And then …
- After a few weeks, you went back into the world.
- You lived like the world.
- You acted like the world.
- All the promises you made vanished.
- Your head is back to just like it was.
Sure you got emotional. Things “felt right.” You got emotion. You thought you had change that lasts.
If you got it from the Lord, though – if it was of Him and not of you – then I want you to know it will last.
Less of me. More of Him.
That is one of the great errors of our time. I’ve heard plenty of persuasive arguments. It would be easy to go with the ones that “feel right.”
If they are wrong, then history – personal and public – will eventually tell the tale.
Guard your heart. Make wise decisions. Don’t be swayed by populist voices if they aren’t from God.
And if it’s from God, even if you try to run away from it, you won’t be able to. That’s change that lasts.