Development means Change

I recently looked up the word “development” and found three interesting definitions.

Development is:


1. An event causing change – an incident that causes a situation to change or progress.

2. The process of change – the process of becoming larger, stronger, or more impressive, successful, or advanced, or of causing somebody or something to change in this way.

3. Incomplete state – a state in which the developing of something is not yet complete.

Within all three definitions is the concept of change; and whether the emphasis is applied to individuals or organizations, development is the on-going, deliberate action taken to move from the current (present) state to a distinctly improved future state (condition).

Development means Change

We have our routines, habits and natural tendencies that (to a large part) define who we are to world around us. Certain behaviors are so routine that we are unconsciously predictable. In individuals, this predictability can positively or negative impact trust and ultimately affect relationships. In organizations, it characterizes reliability, service and affects loyalty and engagement involving customers and employees. An individual or organization in development is one that is consciously breaking out of certain routines, habits and tendencies.

Development means Change for the Better

Development means consciously changing for the better but it requires defining “better”. Unless you know you are at the top of your game, best-in-class, and/or benchmark of quality –there is someone who is; they are the individuals and organizations that define what better can look like. Changing for the better also means asking yourself “do I really want to be better?” If you don’t, that is perfectly OK, and you can stop reading this article now! However, true development is a deliberate effort to move beyond where you are today and closer to that better state.

Development means Change Today to be Better Tomorrow

One of the greatest obstacles to development is overcoming inertia. In Physics, the law of inertia says that a body at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an equal and opposite force. In simpler terms, unless we exert an equal or greater amount of effort into the change as we would into our current routine, change will NOT happen and development will NOT occur! However, once we truly embrace and engage in meaningful change, this law of Physics also offers an optimistic outlook because a body in motion will need a force of equal or greater intensity to stop it! Once the momentum of deliberate change has begun, the process of development is truly underway. With each new day, we must set our sights on becoming better tomorrow that we are today, such that these efforts become our new routine and development becomes a new habit. Tomorrow will always look better than today; even if, or when we become the new standard of excellence. That precept should encourage us to continually look for even greater opportunities for development.

Real Men Ain't "Skirred"

All Men are "skirred!"
In today’s language, being “skirred” is a slang for having FEAR. Believe it or not, ALL men are “skirred” of something! In fact, if you’re a man reading this, you are probably like most men, “skirred” to admit they’re “skirred”.

Why are we “skirred?”
Our fear is a result of several factors with consequences:

There’s a PERCEIVED DANGER and, we’re NOT PREPARED to deal with it.
And when we get “skirred,” we feel PROVOKED to DO SOMETHING. Sadly, many men; are “skirred” in the wrong way and since the days of Adam, when we get “skirred” our fear will usually cause us to …

• Hinder our fellowship (Gen. 3:8-10)
  8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

• Hide our faith (Heb. 11:6)
  So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

• Hamper our “fruit” (Psa. 128:1-4)
  1 How happy are those who fear the LORD--all who follow his ways! 2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How happy you will be! How rich your life! 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, flourishing within your home. And look at all those children! There they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees. 4 That is the LORD's reward for those who fear him.
  

Should we be “skirred?”
In the Christian’s life, as we come to know God through Jesus Christ, we learn to FEAR GOD. Being “skirred” in this way means to be in AWE; having REVERENCE and profound RESPECT or REGARD!

Look at the difference and the benefits:

• We have PROMISES from God. (Rom. 8:14-17)
  14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family--calling him "Father, dear Father. 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children. 17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures--for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

• We have POSSIBILITIES in God’s PROCESS (1 John 4:17 & 18).
  17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.

• We have unleashed POTENTIAL along with God’s POWER. (Eph. 6:10-20).
  10 final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
  13 Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
  19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too.
  20 I am in chains now for preaching this message as God's ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Real Men Ain’t “Skirred” to Pray!
Lord, when I’m “skirred” help me to learn to trust in the power and possibilities found in your promises. Renew my fellowship and restore my faith in you that my life may be rewarded in fruitfulness and fulfillment. In Jesus name, Amen.