Admittedly, this is one of my favorite phrases, basically because of what it is stating. However, one could make a case that it is only a glammed up phrase meaning change, which is not too far off the mark. It is... but it conveys so much more than an awareness of change and all that word conveys. Paradigm shift is an action word based on a decision. One doesn't simply fall into a paradigm shift, one embraces and undertakes it. Honestly... it takes courage to decide to make a shift and further courage to act on it.
Paradigm shifting is not for the weak-heart. As I said - it takes courage. It boldly proclaims that what was no longer relates to what is and thus, requires a new (out of the box?) approach. It really invites speculation - which is typically negatively defined - in order to test if or how the new responds proactively to the what-is-or-has-been. It may require a re-consideration of a previously discarded response as well as entertaining a completely different one. I would caution a substitution for what is simply for substitution sake - you should know what you are discarding, what you are now accepting... and WHY.
Even the 'process' of change is a new learning. Paradigm shifting can provide you with considerable learning opportunities in a variety of areas. Each situation that can be improved upon or that offers the option of a new response can be that invitation to a new learning. As you interact in the situation and as you 'stand back' and observe the interactions, emerging issues, etc.; you have the opportunity to learn, to grow. One example, for me, is that when I do discover this situation and do learn and grow, I have the responsibility to teach this 'new'. Why? Because I also believe in refinements and in the sharing, teaching you can discover other options and possibilities to the shift. My 'why' may be the basis to follow the rabbit trail... or it may cause me to rethink. Regardless - this is an opportunity - in the moment.
One conclusion I’ve reached is that Paradigm Shifters often are loners.
Not certain that there’s any option because when you look at the definition you can
see that people pleasing really isn’t an associated quality. It’s not that
there is an intention to be obstreperous or un-compliant; it’s merely that they
do hear a different drummer and follow where that may lead. And yet, one should
never change for the sake of changing nor be controlled by the status quo. The status quo can be a springboard to new thinking - not necessarily discarding the old but still embracing the paradigm shift.
This may sound like a presumption on my part, or, minimally, a stupid question but when you pray, do you pray believing? Or do you pray, hoping? Maybe you pray, unthinkingly and/or rote-like? Do you pray that God will 'do something' to change some one or thing? The point is - when you pray, what's your attitude? A tangential question is - do you think God hears prayers by those who do not pray... believing? These really aren't speculative questions because they go to the heart of who you are as a pray-er. And my bias is first, that who you are determines what you expect when you pray. Secondly, I believe we ALL are called to pray, that is never a question as it is part and parcel of who we are as Christians.
In terms of context, look again at two specific scriptures (remembering that there are a vast number):
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in
health, just as your soul prospers." (3 John 1:2 - my underlining)
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
Both scriptures speak to our soul and they both speak to how we should approach, our attitude, about prayer. If we are praying for someone or even ourselves, how can we pray if we don't believe the Lord is and will answer? Or maybe we believe He is but don't believe He really wants to be involved in our lives? Therefore we are at the 'mercy' of whether or not our prayers are answered. But it says that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Do we believe? Do we come confidently seeking?
And are we praying for prosperity for the ones we are praying for? Prosperity is far more than material and financial - prosperity affects every aspect of our lives. Even Webster seems to have difficulty giving a full definition but part of this definition is, "... the state of being successful, the condition of being successful or thriving..." Do you pray that the person you are interceding for is successful and thriving? And again, successful and thriving is far more than material and financial, it is in terms of all the components of our lives.
The encouragement should be James 5:16
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another
that you may able healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much."
It is important to understand that ALL
prayer is answered, just maybe not how we expect. No one is likely to pray if
they don't think it is useful. However, our responsibility is to be fervent in order to be effective (both words are individually defined). When you focus on your assignment - praying - coming with the 'right' attitude - believing and expecting - then we can move into thanksgiving to God for Who He is and what He does.
You are in a desert or a dry place spiritually... so what do you do? Complain? Not that complaining really accomplishes anything but... May I suggest a couple of actions that have proved beneficial - at least for me. First: determine if you really are in a desert. One should always discover if one's feelings and thoughts truly are accurate. So how do you know it's a desert? What proof exists that supports this? Besides, what kind of desert is it because not all deserts are the same? Remember that as important as feelings are in this situation, you have to know, from the evidence, that you are in a desert place.
Second: think back and try and discover how you got into the desert in the first place? Did you stumble in, and, if so, how and what were you doing that led you into this place? Even if it is hindsight, the information will aid you in not following similar paths in your future. What you learn in the desert will always benefit you. Third: look around you. Even in a desert there is life. What kind of life do you see in this desert? Can you see how they 'cope' with living in a desert? Though you probably wouldn't want to permanently reside there, how you live in these conditions will provide you with invaluable lessons. Without these first 3 steps, subsequent actions may be misdirected.
Deserts can be chock full of opportunities for discovery. It takes incredible inner fortitude to go beyond yourself to look at your surroundings and the opportunities they present. Minimally you should look at what God is teaching you in the desert you find yourself in. I believe that God is always teaching, always providing us with opportunities for self-discovery as well as who God is in these situations. I know He tells us in scripture that He always provides a way through (1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 9:8), but I believe He also provides lessons for us to learn and understand in every season we find ourselves in.
Spiritual deserts seem to be a fact of life. How we react to these seasons, What we learn, and When we apply our understandings marks what we do with and in the desert times... and after. Once out of the desert you can't just say, 'whew' and return to the behaviors and thoughts that led you to the desert in the first place - unless you want to return to the desert. Personally, as profitable as deserts are, I really dislike having to repeat learning the same lesson(s). When we find ourselves (spiritually) gasping - don't panic and look to the One who is beside you to understand what is being taught.
Regardless of what is occurring, I believe that the Lord always has the time for us - at the moment... now. He never tells us to come back later when He may be freer. He never has us wait. He is always present to listen. It truly is immaterial as to why this is so... it is. He said He would always be with us and that He'd even send us someone to be with us constantly (the Holy Spirit) - not in lieu of Him listening but still to be with us. I don't understand how He can be with each of us, simultaneously, but He said He is. And thus... the end of it.
As much as I am a person that needs to know... in this case I really do. Based on my understanding, I chose. It was my decision to accept and trust what the Lord said about who He was and what He does. What I need to do? Choose to live and walk in faith, believing. Do I doubt? Question what I don't understand or know? Absolutely! But doubt? No, not; because if He said it then... that's the end of it.
'Accessing' His attention is never an issue. Personally, I can't think of a time that I didn't have His complete attention. This is available for all! Matthew 10:30 and Luke 12:7 tell us that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. Isaiah 49:16 tell us that our names are inscribed on the palms of His hands. Matthew 6:26 tell us that even the Sparrow does not fall to the ground without Him noting it. If He is that attentive to the 'little things' then He definitely is attentive to the larger problems and issues. Besides, if He says it... that's the end of it.
As much as His attention is important, it is also critical to seek His answers. Why bother turning to Him if all He does is listen? Ours is not a God who does not provide us with His answer - however, it is our decision whether or not we act on what He says. But we can't then say 'we don't know'. Actually, He gave us a manual that we can turn to in order to find His answers. The Bible has everything that is necessary to live productive and fruitful lives. (2Timothy 3:16)
"What is man that You are mindful of him..." (Hebrews 2:6 referring
to Job 7:17 and Psalm 8:4)
The point? Have a problem? Need an answer for something. Never forget that He is mindful, He does care... and that's the end of it.
Do you have a moan occasionally? Of course you do. We all have moans... and there is nothing intrinsically 'wrong' in having a moan. I think the operative word is - occasionally. Just how often do you have a moan? And is it always to the same select few to whom you bestow this honor? What about the reason(s) for the moan - do you have theme(s) or is it a variety of things? Are there certain 'things' that set you off or is it simply personal issues?
As you can see... moans have a number of attendant questions and I suspect we really don't consider them when we do have a moan. When we're in a 'moan mood' that's what we do! In my more conscious moments I must admit that I wonder why we do this. Do we expect the people to whom we moan, to 'fix' whatever the problem, issue is? Probably not really. Sometimes we are simply expressing our feelings and the expression is the thing, not the resolution.
Moaning, in my definition, means the ability to express whatever it is I'm feeling. For me, I'm not seeking resolution, I am seeking commiseration, not sympathy. I want to hear some supportive expression from the person I'm moaning to. I want to hear that it really is OK for me to feel the way I'm feeling. You see... at the bottom of all this is - me. No great surprise. After considering what we moan about and to whom, how often do we engage in this activity? If the operative, occasionally, is accurate then not an issue. However, if we begin to see people flee from us, then we definitely are moaning too often.
OK, this has all been slightly facetious. But the questions aren't. Moaning seems to be a fact of life. And personally, I don't see any problem... unless. If all we do is moan, if we never address the underlying issues affecting our moaning then it is unbecoming behavior. Moaning can be a motivator to cause us to re-examine the causes for our moan. Honestly... moaning for the sake of moaning has no value unless it is addressed, relatively quickly.
Doesn't that paint a vivid picture! And it is telling us...??? I sometimes think we like the phrase without ever defining the words. At times it appears that it is almost a badge... still with no definitions. I believe that the phrase was originally coined by Winston Churchill in 1939 to describe Russia and how that country operates. But without definitions, we still don't truly know what we mean... or how others apply the phrase.
Using Webster as a guide, Riddle: "mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed". Mystery: "a religious truth that one can know only by revelation and cannot fully understand; profound, inexplicable, or secretive quality or character". Enigma: "something not understood or beyond understanding; someone or something that is difficult to understand or explain". Do these definitions provide us with understanding? Context, perhaps. Understanding... maybe not. Who cares? Probably only those who believe one should know what they are saying and aren't trying to be an enigmatic mystery left to or above(?) interpretation.
Anytime you tag a person or thing, you should always know what you mean and be able to define it for others - that's why we should care. And with this particular phrase... even more so. I suspect that there is a bit of the riddle, mystery, enigma in each of us and that's perfectly fine as long as we don't get upset when it seems that no one understands us. My bias is that there is a core part that each of us do guard closely and only let a few select people into this inner chamber of who we are. As a result... I also suspect that this means that occasionally we do appear mysterious or enigmatic.
When the riddle/mystery/enigma is a 'thing' then we really need to know which because using Webster's definitions, a riddle is the only component that can be 'solved' through one's intellect as the other two have to be resolved by revelation and one can never command revelation. OK, this whole discussion has been somewhat tongue-in-cheek. However, when we don't understand something or someone, we shouldn't just ignore them by tagging them as a riddle, mystery, enigma, thus dismissing them or 'it'.
Personally, I've always enjoyed mysteries (my prime entertainment reading genre) and puzzles so I've always appreciated an exercise to expand or challenge my understanding capabilities. But when it comes to people - I always wonder what they are telling me by being a riddle/mystery/enigma because I would contend that this behavior is deliberate. How can one behave this way... accidentally? This also reinforces my question-asking nature which is how I tend to handle these situations. I do tend to be black/white, yes/no so I don't have much patience with those who try to be a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.
Actually I talk a great deal about forgiveness, from a variety of perspectives. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that I typically am in great need of forgiveness - daily. When you consider Webster's definition:
"to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong) :
to stop blaming (someone); to stop feeling anger about (something) : to
forgive someone for (something wrong); : to stop requiring payment of
(money that is owed)"
"To stop", to forgive is the directive. Webster goes on to further refine: "to cease to feel resentment against (an offender); to give up resentment of or claim to requital ". This is the period. Stop and cease to feel negative are the mindsets and paradigm shifts - no grudges, no passive aggressive behavior. When you really think about it... to stop has no alternative. Stop means stop as does cease mean cease - stop.
When I learned that I couldn't expect forgiveness unless I first forgave, this brought me up short. Quid pro quo? Yes and no. Scripture makes it very clear that we cannot expect forgiveness from the Father unless we first forgive.
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against
anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive
you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your
Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:25-26)
What I have always found 'interesting' is that these words by Jesus is spoken just after He has said - "Have faith in God." (v 22) Then in v 23-24 is one of the most powerful descriptions and teaching about prayer and how we should approach prayer. The connection between what can happen when we have faith, when we pray is coupled with forgiveness by the power word - And.
Next we read what happens when 'But' occurs. When we don't forgive others we handcuff ourselves and there is nothing the Father can do for us until we realize the price we are paying for our unforgiveness. Is it worth it? And since unforgiveness only affects us and has none on our target - what are we receiving? What is worth not forgiving? In my world - this is a condition I do not care to live in and with. If, when I forgive others a real or perceived harm, then I no longer carry the baggage and can move freely forward.
Where are you bound? Do you belong... but, where? Here? Anywhere? Where's home? Or, are you just passing through...? If your attitude, because it is an attitude, that you are only passing through, then what kind of footprint are you making? And again, yes - you always leave a footprint. Or perhaps the question should be, regardless of location - what is your footprint? Can you look back and see your footprints in the sand or your wake?
There's a lovely 'footprint' mini-story about someone who dies and when they go to heaven, they questions Jesus about why, since He said He would never leave us, are there times in which the tracks only show one pair of footprints. The answer Jesus gives is that those were the times He was carrying the person. I really do love that and I really do believe this. I know that in my life, there are times that the only explanation is that I am being carried.
The 'footprint' concept is currently very popular, especially for those concerned about ecology/environment/climate. There is a footprint we have and do make in terms of their concern, but there's also a footprint we have and make when it comes to our relationships. Do you know who you are in other peoples' lives? Do you recognize those who have made a footprint in yours? How do you assess the influence of those footprints, what kind of difference have they made? Were you aware when they happened? Do you see how the footprints made in your life have provided a model for you? Who has made the most significant footprint for you - are you a better person as a result?
Does your footprint in other peoples' lives demonstrate who you want to be, and who you truly are? What are your footprint qualities - correction, kindness, helpfulness, patience, willfulness, argumentativeness, long-suffering... there are a host of adjectives that can describe your footprint. But, do you see your footprint in their lives and the ramifications this made? And in whose life have you had the most influence... are they a better person? Regardless, remember that you may have provided the witness but you have no authority to make their decision(s). Ultimately it is up to each of us to apply or ignore the footprints made by others. Footprints.
Are you tilting at windmills? If so... don't do so for long. All tilting accomplishes is tiring you out. Yes? Tilting may sound Don Quixotic-al romantic, but how does this help? Is that romantic and ineffectual image one that you really want to portray, to be remembered as? And if so... to whom and why? Why would you want to squander your time, energy, and resources on something unattainable? Granted, to be viewed as one who followed their grand passion is a positive... kinda... but do you want this to be who you are?
If we, mature and logical as we are, succumb to tilting, we shouldn't cast aspersions when we see others acting similarly (not unlike the log and splinter statement in Matthew 7). Actually a bit of quixotic-ism can be 'good'. If nothing else, it informs us of what our passions are and how far we are willing to go to pursue them. But, when we get into the territory of allowing the passion to control everything we do, then some reassessing may be in order. Passionate - yes. Quixotic-ish, perhaps not.
I think some tilting brings us that flavoring in our life but when we do 'awaken' (and yes, we are in a stupor of some sort) and look into our empty hands, many of us are quite amazed. Amazed at the emptiness and our own silliness. How could we??? A hard lesson to learn but one that has lasting ramifications because we can use our experience to harden ourselves. Harden? There is an alternative to becoming harden - we can become more forgiving, understanding, and gentle with our own as well as others' foibles.
Bottom line: life is too precious, too important to waste. Windmills are always possible, how do we want to use the lessons from our Quixotic indulgence(s)? Ultimately it is our choice as to when, if, and how we choose to learn and apply lessons from our lives. I personally hate repeating earlier unlearned (or unapplied) lessons. I do believe that we can learn valuable lessons from a Quixotic-ish view of passion. Never forget that passion is important, is critical in our journey. We can also allow ourselves to experience passion as a positive motivator and not consumer.
Have you ever been homesick? Perhaps when you first left home... probably when you graduated from high school and left to go to (fill in the blank). Homesick really has nothing to do with where you are moving to as much as it always is based on a milestone change in your life, which always involves moving from the familiar to the unknown. You know your life will be changing and regardless of whether or not you are excited about the 'new', you know that when you do return 'home', things will have changed. You will have changed. The people remaining will have changed. But, the changes will be apart from a face-to-face relationship and so you will be meeting 'new' familiar people from your own 'new'.
I tend to believe that 'homesick' is a reaction to the knowledge and especially the feelings that you weren't part of or involved in the familiar which subtly has changed. There is always a bit of sadness associated with this realization. It isn't a wish that I were here or a wish I weren't there, it's simply a realization that change always marks us and unless we are present, we see it after the fact.
All of this is understandable. But what if your homesickness is for a place you've never been? Is this even possible? I think so. And I think Paul's lament indicates the dilemma. Philippians 1:21-26
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (v.21) For I am hard
pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with
Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless... (v.23)
In Romans (14:8) Paul tells us:
"For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the
Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."
While it can be argued that Philippians and Romans are talking about two different longings, I don't think so. In both, Paul is talking about here and now and the prize that will come. I suspect that in the final analysis it is HOW we live that's at issue. We have been invited into a mission and it is our responsibility, once accepted, to do all we can where we are to be the Lord's Ambassadors here and now. Longing for something that isn't only wastes what's in front of us. But I must admit... it can be somewhat seductive. Nevertheless...
