你準備好成為一個新的你嗎？
By Robert J. Tamasy
你、你的配偶、一位同事、或甚至一位好朋友喜歡定期做些改變嗎？那改變可能是重新安排你家中一個房間的傢俱或裝飾。或重新規劃你公司業務－－要做什麼、如何做、為什麼那麼做。或者可能你發現經過一段時間後你就會浮譟不安，想要換工作、換公司、或甚至換行業。
改變是無可避免的，不論我們喜歡或不喜歡，改變都會發生。例如，天氣就是如此。我住過的城市裡人們常說：「若你不喜歡現在的天氣…只要等一下，天氣就會改變。」還有經濟、政治、電腦的偏好、或進行中的成長過程：改變都在發生。
有些人天生就很能接受改變。事實上，我們還熱切地迎向改變。但有些人抗拒改變，尤其那改變不是按照他們希望的方式。不論改變是在企業的做法和制度、引進新的科技、或人事和領袖，有些人擁抱改變，而有的人用他們的每一分能量去對抗改變。
對我個人而言，我喜歡改變－－只要我有機會提供意見並參與決定去影響任何重大的改變。但突然、意外的改變，或沒有考慮到我利益的改變會令我非常不安。
改變也是在聖經中一個常被提到的主題。在舊約中我們看到許多例子是當上帝呼召人們去服事時，常常要作重大的改變。而在新約中常常說到透過與耶穌基督有更親密的關係就帶來改變。把這放在21世紀裡，就意味著屬靈的委身會影響我們如何生活、如何工作、如何處理人際關係。請思想以下幾點：
成為一個新造的人。聖經告訴我們，透過耶穌基督與上帝有親密的關係就代表得到一個新的生命。「若有人在基督裡，他就是新造的人，舊事已過，都變成新的了」（哥林多後書5章17節）。「我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的不再是我，乃是基督在我裡面活著」（加拉太書2章20節）。
停止過去的做法。為了要努力順服上帝，不論在職場中、家中或任何其他地方，都需要改變－－而不是僅僅稍微調整過去、熟悉的做法。「…沒有人把新衣服撕下一塊來補在舊衣服上；若是這樣，就把新的撕破了，並且所撕下來的那塊新的和舊的也不相稱。也沒有人把新酒裝在舊皮袋裡；若是這樣，新酒必將皮袋裂開…但新酒必須裝在新皮袋裡」（路加福音5章36-38節）。
在上帝新的事工上建造。聖經說上帝喜歡改變，並且也喜歡我們成為改變中的一份子。那改變可能是有關你的工作或你工作的方式。「看哪，我要作一件新事；如今要發現，你們豈不知道嗎﹖我必在曠野開道路，在沙漠開江河」（以賽亞書43章19節）。
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的通訊部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他也是一個有40年經驗的退休新聞工作者。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）。他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」（The Heart of Mentoring）。要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com 。
思想 / 討論題目
面對改變，你一向都如何回應？你是否熱切地回應或不情願、憤怒或甚至害怕？請解釋。 什麼是你經歷過最困難的改變？最後的結果是什麼？若結果是好的，那如何影響你對改變過程的看法？ 當你讀到透過耶穌基督與上帝建立關係就是成為一個新造的人，這對你有何意義？ 改掉過去的習慣、思想模式和行為：這些對你有多困難？你是否想作出重大的個人或工作上的改變，但到目前為止還是太困難了？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：羅馬書6章4、11節，7章6節；以弗所書4章20-24節；彼得前書2章2節；約翰一書2章7-8節；啟示錄21章1-5節
ARE YOU READY FOR A NEW YOU?
By Robert J. Tamasy
Do you, your spouse, a coworker, or even a good friend enjoy changing things on a regular basis? Perhaps it involves rearranging the furniture or decorations in a room at your home. Or redefining the business of your company – what, how, and why it is done. Or maybe you find yourself getting restless after a period of time and desiring to change jobs, companies, or even careers.
Change is inevitable. It occurs whether we like it or not. Take the weather, for example. I have lived in cities where we often remarked, “If you don”t like the weather…just wait a minute.” Then we have the economy, politics, customer preferences, or the simple process of ongoing growth: Change happens.
Some of us innately have a high tolerance for change. In fact, we approach it with eagerness. Others resist change, especially if does not come about on their terms. Whether it applies to business practices and systems, the introduction of new technology, or changes in personnel and leaders, some people embrace change while others fight it with every ounce of energy they possess.
Personally, I enjoy change – as long as I have a chance to offer input and participate in decisions affecting any significant changes. But sudden, unexpected change, or changes that I feel have been imposed without taking my interests into consideration, can seem very unsettling.
Change is a common theme in the Bible as well. In the Old Testament we see many examples of people required to make dramatic changes as God called them into service. And in the New Testament, it often speaks about the change that results through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Putting this into a 21st century context, it means spiritual commitment will have recognizable impact on how we live, how we work, and how we carry out our relationships. Consider the following:
Becoming a new person. The Scriptures tell us that having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ means gaining a new life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20).
Breaking with old ways. Striving to be obedient to God, whether in our workplace responsibilities, our homes or anywhere else, often demands change – not modification of old, familiar ways. “…”No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins…. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins”” (Luke 5:37).
Building on God”s new work. The Bible teaches God likes change and seems to enjoy letting us be a part of it. That could involve the work you do or the way you do it. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran journalist for 40 years, he is the author of Tufting Legacies (iUniverse); Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press); and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blogs, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com and www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
How do you typically respond when confronted with change? Do you react enthusiastically or respond with reluctance, anger, or even fear? Explain your answer. What has been the most difficult change you have had to work through? What was the eventual outcome? If the result proved positive, how did that affect your perception of the change process? When you read that having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ means becoming a new person, what – if anything – does that mean to you? Breaking with old habits, thought patterns and behaviors: How difficult has that been for you? Are there any major personal or professional changes you would like to make, but to this point have seemed too difficult? NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review additional passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses: Romans 6:4,11, 7:6; Ephesians 4:20-24; 1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:7-8; Revelation 21:1-5
