making change

Today I read the first chapter of Switch by Chip and Dan Heath. I don’t usually enjoy business oriented books but this one seems promising. The authors suggest that change can be made easier, not easy, by giving clear logical motivation, compelling emotional inspiration and simple, clear ways to respond. I wonder how this works as a Christ follower and a vocational pastor. Is life change the result of human persuasion or the power of the Holy Spirit? Scripture seems to suggest that the answer is ‘yes’.

Drinking low fat milk verses whole milk is an example of giving a clear action step versus telling people to ‘be healthier’. I wonder if we don’t do this within the church when we call people to holy living and leave it with that and maybe a sense that reading the bible, praying and hanging out as a group on Sundays will make that happen. There are a million ways to be healthier and the same goes for being holier.

Calling people to be holier is wrought is difficulty but changed and changing lives are at the core of the Christian faith. I look forward to exploring more about what Jesus followers are called to and how we can help each other change.