Change in an instant

Here’s a common theme I’ve been hearing about a lot lately. How long does it take for change to really happen?

Francis Chan notes in his book Crazy Love, for instance, that when people are baptized in many countries on earth, their change is immediate. They are choosing to follow God and ALL that that entails. They are choosing Christianity the moment they emerge from the cleansing waters. In the United States, our approach is more of a growth cycle.  Our overall attitude in many areas is that of a growth or buildup chain of events. Think about that for a minute…

Getting into Shape:  I’ll try to lose a few pounds and then gradually introduce exercise and just have a longterm goal of losing some weight but I don’t want to deprive myself too much.   I’ll start next Monday, right after that block party on Sunday. Oh, and I’ll take Thanksgiving off because moms pumpkin pie is amazing.

We are a building block society. Don’t act crazy and be ALL in to something ~ even if it’s something that is going to improve your spirituality or your cholesterol or your very sanity. Ease in to it….nice and slow. See if it fits.

According to professional speaker and author, Anthony Robbins, it’s the getting ready to change that takes time. In the end there’s a single instant when the change occurs. Robbins goes on to outline three specific beliefs that you must have in order to instantly create a lasting change.

• Belief #1… Something MUST change. I simply cannot live another day in the state I’m in. The time has come.
• Belief #2…I must change it. I’m taking personal responsibility and it’s my personal mission.
• Belief #3…I CAN change it. I’m not relying on willpower~ I’m taking control of this situation because I know it’s the right thing to do. Period. Past failures aren’t even under consideration. I’m empowered.

How many times have you been in a personal relationship and heard another person tell you they are going to change and you’ve doubted them? Maybe because they’ve said it all before?   How many times have we looked in the mirror and wondered why we keep repeating the same mistakes when those mistakes always end in disaster?

I feel differently today than I did yesterday about this subject. God has strategically placed 4 or 5 situations or teachings right in my path that all claim the same message. Change can happen now. It can. I don’t have to wait for it; I can trust in it. Change can happen in an instant.