There is a story about a woman who brought home a plaque that said, “Prayer changes things.” She put it in her kitchen, above her sink. Her husband came home, and said, “Take that down, please.” She said, “Why? Don’t you believe in prayer?” He said, “Yes, but I don’t believe in change.”

I am learning that change creates anxiety. I do not believe in change for the sake of change. But I do believe in change when it is determined and shaped by mission.

Bruce Larson in his book, Faith for the Journey, tells of a successful factory that made drills. One day the owner told his corporate officials that he was going to retire and that he had chosen his son as his successor. At the next board meeting the son asked his four vice presidents, “What are your goals for the company for the next five to ten years?”

One vice-president replied, “Well sir, we’re looking at new sizes and shapes for different drills.”

The son said, “I have news for you – there is no market for drills.” One could feel the tension in the air. He continued, “From now on we will not think drills. We will not sell drills. We’ll sell holes! People don’t want to buy a drill; they want to make a hole!”

They began to think of other ways to create holes they developed, among other methods, lasers for hole drilling. This attitude change and other innovations kept the company in business while its competitors lost large shares of the market and some even went bankrupt.

Change is necessary for us to be who we are supposed to be. Change is not easy, but it is our mission – the transformation of the world. When we are shaped by the mission of God, we are transformed to be the people God wants us to be.

Prayer for Today