Throughout my life and work, I've learned a lot over time about change. It seems that over and over again, whether it's in our family dynamics, conflicts with a friend or issues at work, there is always a challenge to overcome when faced with change.Recently, I've been struck with the penetrating simplicity of two simple questions: Where are we now? and Where do we want to be? The difference between these two is what Peter Senge, from MIT's Sloan School of Management calls a "vision gap." He says that this gap itself provides the energy we need to move from where we are now to where we want to be. From there, we can only do two things with the gap...either we lower our expecations for where we want to be, or we raise our performance to that level. What a challenge!
Last Sunday I experienced my own "vision gap" as I stood in the arboreal foothills of the Sawatch Range in Colorado, looking up to the alpine summit of Mount Huron, 14,003 feet. I couldn't see the top...it was snowing...my brother-in-law and climbing partner Chuck and I wondered if it was safe to try the climb.
But aha, there's the vision gap: we decided "no guts, no glory," and up we went. Step after step we maintained our desire for the summit, though the vision gap grew smaller. We had to stick with it...there's not much oxygen above 10,000 feet! (Back in my flying days, we had to have oxygen available any time we were above that altitude.) In the end, though it was challenging, we made it. Of course we needed to plod back down, but that's a whole other story.
The exuberance of making a summit is so high! It's such a gift...the beauty, the majesty of God's wondrous high creation is unparalleled. Even though we were socked in on this summit from clouds, we still had that feeling of great success.
How about you? What mountain looms ahead of you? Where are you now? Where do you want to be?
Narrow that vision gap...start climbing that mountain. It starts with your next step...
Lookin' Up, Pastarod
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6 comments:
your blog is really nice.
Hi Jules...
You just popped up on my blog and I didn't recognize your name so I zipped over to yours to see who you are. I've enjoyed reading your more recent posts.
It sounds as though you are a student...I remember those days! I did a BA in Communications from the University of Colorado and a Master of Theology from Regent College in Vancouver, BC. Both degrees were challenging to me in a variety of ways but I look back with thankfulness for how much I grew in those hard times.
Hey, I want to thank you for your transparency in your post on Oct 9 about your happiness and stuff like that. May I humbly encourage you for a moment?
Jules, you were made to find deep joy in one pivotal, crazy and wild relationship - that of knowing God through his Son Jesus Christ. God created you for this and beckons you to find him. It's the nag in your soul, the restlessness in your mind, that dissatisfaction that always seems to linger. And, this internal "groan" will not subside until placed at rest by that One who made you.
Though not a fix-all that makes all of life nice and perfect, the struggles of life and more come into greater clarity and meaning when orbiting around the center of your established relationship with God.
A really smart thinker once said that inside of each of us is a "God-shaped vacuum" and that our hearts are not at rest until filled only by the One who created it. I know that was true for me. Could it be that the ache you feel is that hole in your heart?
I know this may sound strange and freaky and perhaps even offensive, like this might be the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard. I understand if you feel that way. But if you ever want to talk more, if you're curiosity is sparked, I'm here for you if you want. Just pop over to my blog again and say whatever you'd like; I'd be honored to know you more...
Hi there,
Yeah it's the old emilie crossley that use to go to garland church back in the day. Since then I've gotten married as well as have two hyper active boys. We've attended garland since we've come back into town. I would really like to talk with you sometime soon. If possable. Thanks
Emilie
Hey Emilie, sorry it's taken so long to get back to you...I'm not the best blogger in the world!
I get it...so you've moved back to the inland NW from NM and you're living out in Airway Heights? You live fairly close to me.
Please forgive me for not seeing you around Garland...frankly, I'm not sure I can remember what you look like, but I did remember your name.
Will you come up and say 'hi' soon?
Yeah we would love to. We always show up late to church on acount of the lack of transportation. :-) And the past few weeks we haven't gone at all. *loooong story* But yeah we live out in airway heights and it's a little scary. But yeah... I've been going through a time of testing... and I feel that I'm failing horably. I've lost my job and since that time we've been out of church. Since we've not been in church... I don't know I feel a bit lost. Ok more than a bit. More like a whole lot. My life has no direction and I'm scared. meh. I don't know anymore... And I think that's the point. My only solece are my kids. So yeah... anyhow We'll be there at church hopefuly this sunday. If not the weather has kept us from the bus stop.
Have a good night/day/when ever you read this.
Emilie, how can I help? Will you call me sometime at the church when it's good for you? Try 327-7700. I'm around all week except for Friday.
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