Change = Cost

March 9, 2011

After his 2002 season, Tiger Woods decided to change his golf swing. Due to persistent knee problems, and two surgeries. It became apparent to him that he had to change how he was swinging or risk continual physical strain and punishment. However, change came at a price. In fact, for several years his game suffered and he experience a loss in the standings. Many in the golf world thought Tiger was a fool for changing something that seemed to be so successful. Yet, Tiger’s decision to change his swing would ultimately pay off in a big way. While the process wasn’t especially enjoyable, the payoff far outweighed the pain of change.

Harold Wilson, a British parliamentarian, once said; “He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is a cemetery.” Change is not something most of us like. Change often involves risk, chaos, confusion, instability and uncertainty. Any leader who chooses to travel down the road of change, we will inevitably experience a world of frustration, a loss of comfort, and a time of chaos. Nehemiah was no different.

Nehemiah, a slave used by God, had grown comfortable with his present situation. Nehemiah had it good! He was the food taster of the King. Realistically, he was the most powerful man in the kingdom, he decided whether the king lived or died and the King knew it. I’m sure the king made sure Nehemiah’s every desire was taken care of. He could not risk having Nehemiah as an enemy. So, the king kept him close and placed a great deal of trust in him. Nehemiah probably had everything at his fingertips. The king kept him fat and happy. So, when Nehemiah was deciding to follow after God’s call, he would have to count the cost.

It is tempting, as a leader, to maintain the status quo, especially when everything seems to be going so good. As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Even though we know that a refusal to accept the need for change will lead to drift in our organization, we avoid change at all costs. Likewise, in the church, we have grown comfortable with the way things are. We have our pews the way we like them, the proper color of carpet on the floor and the perfect paint on the walls. Our friends and family come and we enjoy a time of fellowship together and the music is just to our taste. Everything in the church is designed to make us feel good and make us comfortable. In many ways we have become so comfortable with the way things are, we have forgotten about the human rubble all around us cause by the devastation of sin. We have lost the edge on our co-mission with Jesus.

Jesus taught a very simple yet profound lesson to those who were following him in Luke 14 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.” Sounds like common sense to me.

Nehemiah could have reject his new calling and remained in a place of comfort and ease, but he would have missed out. He counted the cost and chose the path of change. Because of his choice, he was able to participate in and witness something that no one had ever thought possible. His heroic actions brought about an epic adventure; the stuff of legends.

As leaders, we will all decide at some point which path we will travel. The path of least resistance will lead us to safety and comfort, but will offer little more than a mediocre life at best. As a leader, you will always be left wandering, “what if?”

The leader who decides to walk down the path of change must be ready to count the cost. This path will lead you into a period of uncertainty and difficulty. It may ultimately cost you more than you expected. Your corporation, business, or church may temporarily suffer. However, on the other side of the chaos is conquest. The real question is: Are you willing to count the cost? Are you willing to experience temporary discomfort in order to enjoy enormous success and growth. One thing is for sure; Change=cost.

Posted 3/9/2011 in Stephen Gray | 0 Comments - Add Comment