November 14, 2007
"Strategy for Change”
Dear Friend,
Most of us recognize some pattern of thinking, feeling, or behavior that we would like to change. Perhaps you have struggled in the attempt to make that change. Often the real change we desire to see in our lives will not occur until we change our thinking about God and other people.
Larry Crabb wrote a very challenging book entitled, Connecting. He writes, “Ordinary people have the power to change other people’s lives.” Then he explains how this change occurs: “The power is found in connection, that profound meeting when the truest part of one soul meets the emptiest recesses in another, and finds something there, when life passes from one to the other.”
This might sound a bit mysterious. Perhaps I can rephrase it in a more practical way:
- We do not have the strength to change all by ourselves. It takes more than just desire.
- Other people have strength where we are weak. In a good friendship, their strength helps us change.
- A certain “quality of life” passes from one person to another through the power of friendship.
This connecting strategy for change works in two ways: We connect and receive help. And, we connect and give help.
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due
when it is in your power to do it.”
We have the power to help each other change for good, and the Scriptures call us to help each other this way.
Doc
Dr. Dave Collings
Lead Pastor
Christ Church
