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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
I’ve been a fan of leadership developer Robert E. Quinn for decades. His book, Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within, has been influential in my life. I reread this book from time to time, and every time I do, I think. . .
Why didn’t I apply this stuff to my leadership the first time I read this?
Quinn has a life mission to inspire positive change. The only negative thing I can say about him is that he is a Professor at the University of Michigan. However, considering this in a positive light, I see it as further proof that something good can come from Nazareth (John 1:45-47).
I’ve invited Robert Quinn to share a few words with you in this Interruption. But first, a confession: he doesn’t know he is sharing with you. I’m just quoting a few of my favorite quotes from his book, Deep Change.
Please don’t stop reading because I’m quoting someone else at length; Robert E. Quinn knows more about leadership than I, and probably you as well.
We must continually choose between deep change and slow death.
Each of us has the potential to change the world. Most opt out because the price is too high.
When we have a vision, it does not necessarily mean that we have a plan. We may know where we want to be, but we will seldom know the actual steps we must take to get there. We must trust in ourselves to learn the new way, to build the bridge as we walk on it.
Vision rarely comes through planning committees; they clarify objectives, review and budget their resources, and at best become mediocre, because they let their present resources determine the future. They had plans, not vision. A vision would lead them toward a plan that exceeded their resources.
When we discover what is right and pursue it, the necessary people and resources show up!
(Pastor Grant now writing.) Wow! Does what Robert Quinn says sound like our Biblical faith? When we see Jesus, must we pay a cost to follow Him beyond our current resources? Should we be careful not to overplan our lives and keep in step with the Spirit?
Now, let’s remember what Jesus said to the Rich Young Ruler. . .
The young man said to Jesus, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:20-22, ESV).
Now, back to Quinn. . .
Over time, everyone develops a formula for success. What we fail to see is that the old formula was from old territory, and we now must cross the border into new territory. If we cross into the new with the old map, things go south quickly. New areas need a new map.
Now, back to Pastor Grant — by faith, let’s follow the new thing that God wants to do with us.