Jen’s Gem:  One small change changes everything!

It is said that doing the same thing over and over hoping for something to change is the definition of insanity. Seems a bit harsh to me yet I recently realized that I’ve been doing just this – hitting rinse and repeat, expecting a different outcome.

I’ll share a few examples to illustrate: 

1.    I am currently hosting the Elevate the Day podcast from my dining room. My back is against a bare wall and is not very inviting. I’ve been saying that I need to address this, yet week after week, the scenery has remain unchanged.
2.    My morning routine has consisted of Bible reading, journaling, and prayer for many years. However, I’ve noticed recently that my brain cells are not waking up at the same time as my body. This has made diving into God’s Word first thing a bit challenging.
3.    There has been a shift in my client work since late last year, which has impacted my daily schedule.  I have not made the adjustment and as a result, my time is not being used effectively.

Finally, I said – enough is enough! My wishing for things to change was not changing a thing. So here’s what I did:

1.    I turned my computer camera around and now my living room is the podcast backdrop.
2.    Rather than opening my Bible before the caffeine kicks in, I listen to a Bible teaching and ease into God’s Word.
3.    Instead of planning my work a week at a time, I review the entire month and assign work projects to certain days.

Eureka! These changes, minor in nature really, have made a huge difference. Why did I wait so long to do them?

Sometimes the change we seek is easier than we think. Sometimes it just takes a new perspective. Recently, I heard a minister say this:

“Don’t be content where you are. Contend for where you want to be.”

I thought this was so profound that I wrote it on a Post-It note and stuck it to the wall over my desk. Each morning, it encourages me to avoid the lure of a rinse and repeat life. Sameness is stuckness. (ok – not a real word but let’s change things up!)

I am recalling an interaction between Peter and Jesus. Peter and his peeps had been fishing all night but had nothing to show for it. Over and over, they cast their nets out with no success. Then Jesus shows up and tells them to try one more time.

Can you imagine what Peter must’ve been thinking? Did Jesus know that doing the same thing over and over was the definition of insanity? Yet, Peter decided to do what he was told and he caught so many fish that the boat nearly capsized.

What can we learn from this story?

Even if we do the same thing over and over, when we do it with Jesus, the results are extraordinary.

In his own strength, Peter could not catch one fish. It was only when he partnered with the Master Fisherman that he took home the motherload. 

“And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” (John 21:6-8 NKJV)

If your rinse and repeat life is not getting you anywhere, I want to encourage you to take a step back from the trees and look at the forest. Ask Jesus what He sees and listen for His response. Then, whatever He tells you to do, do it.

When you rinse and repeat with Jesus, your life will never be the same.