Change
Change: moving, adjusting, taking shape, building, decaying, altering, shifting, or morphing from one state to another.
Lately, I have been noticing how much of my life is in a constant state of change. As I get older, my body is physically changing. It’s harder to get rid of that midsection and easier to get tired and worn out. My workout recovery time is much longer and more painful. My memory isn’t as good (folks love to remind me of this haha). As my kids grow up, get married, and have kids, a lot changes. Our time together, their priorities and my role in each of their stories shift. My marriage changes as Ruth and I grow into different people than when we got married. My heart, the inner man, has changed drastically throughout my lifetime. My heart desires intimacy and Dad’s presence. As well as, deeper and more real relationships. Whereas, two decades ago, I desired impact and results.
At work, I am not as passionate about what I do and, yet, I am more passionate about The New Frontier. Even The New Frontier is in a huge state of change. We have a new home in Cherut Ranch, new staff in Erik, Samuel, and Greg, new offerings (men’s weeks, adventure trips, etc.), and a new level of family involvement. Let me just say that for a guy who actually loves change, it is a lot! So much so that at times, it takes my breath away, feels crushing, un-doable, painful, and sometimes it feels more like a loss than a gain.
I regularly have to re-calibrate and ask Dad questions like:
What do I do with this mumbo-jumbo of thoughts and emotions swirling around inside? How do I handle this well? How do I see what only you have a vision of? What do I do with this change? How do I handle it? Do I make or just wait for change? How do I know if God is in it or if it's just me or the world around me?
Just like death, taxes, and Thanos: change is inevitable. It is constant and hard, especially when I do not initiate it. As I have worked through both changes that I welcome and those I do not, there are some ways Dad has kindly and lovingly guided my heart that I would like to share with you. As always, these are offerings of wisDUMB, lessons learned out on the Path.
1.) Give thanks for the past!
Gratitude is so vital for our hearts. It spurs us to praise our Dad’s good heart and blessings. As I look back over my shoulder, I can see all the provision of resources and people, the blessing of the Creech family, and the Bunkhouse at Burnt Fork Ranch. The amazing family times and the growth of my kids and my marriage. The blessings over Hartco, our business, that have allowed us to invest in this little dream called The New Frontier. The incredible ways that loving others has brought our family together. The lives impacted and changed forever. All of this reminds me that Dad has been up to some crazy good things and I need to remember those things. Amidst this hard season of change, He has always brought something better; no matter how good things seemed to be in the present. This fuels my hope and faith in the future.
2.) Give space to feel the change.
As we look back and turn to look ahead there is much we need to “release to receive.” It is hard to lose something even if you will gain something. It’s hard to leave behind what has been so, so good. It’s ok to feel the loss, allow our hearts to mourn, and take the time to “let the past go.” Learn from the past, rejoice in it, and yet move forward still.
I will admit that grieving loss is hard for me. It’s easier for me to “get at” moving ahead. Put my head down and push forward. I’ve learned this tendency is not good for my deep heart and eventually, my heart gets so full of sorrow, that it doesn’t have room for joy and hope. Jesus was a man of “sorrow and grief” and knew it had to be released so He could press on to “the joy set before Him.” I am an image bearer and need the same, and because He has endured what I have – He will enter these places with me and guide me through them.
3.) Listen and follow.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love John 10. The promise of life to the full. The reminder that we have a good Shepard who is “ahead of us, leading us, providing for us.” He knows the way to “the pasture” through the wild place of the wilderness. My role is to know His voice, listen well, and follow courageously. I cannot navigate change well on my own. I need His leading. I need His vision, not mine. In these times of change – I need His presence and the intimacy He offers. It brings peace, patience, provision, HIS plan, and ultimately His purposes happen! I am reminded I am not alone; this isn’t up to me and it's what Dad is doing and not me. I will have lots of clarity on what I need to do but, often I don’t understand. It’s crazy how something so simple can be so difficult and yet, so powerful.
4.) Have hope in the future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremy 29:11
“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
I have to hold onto the truth in the verse above. I have an amazing Dad. He pursues, grows, loves, and desires me. He wants His best for me. He will do all He can to give that if I am willing to believe and receive it. What does He withhold from me? Anything less than His best! He won't do half, or partial, or good enough…He does epic, “exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever hope for or ask!” That is my dad!
With all of this, I encourage you to saddle up! It’s time to cowboy or cowgirl up! We just have to go! Move forward in obedience. Do what it takes. Follow Him out into the adventure.
As you are looking at the changes in your life and evaluating what to do next, I hope and pray this helps you and encourages you “onward and upward” as Jack (C.S. Lewis) loves to say!
Calibration:
Do I like change? Why or why not? Be specific.
How does change make me feel? Why?
How do I grieve? Handle loss?
Do I trust in God’s good heart? Why or why not?
What is one step I can take this week to allow God’s changes in my life? What do I need to release so I may receive Dad’s best?
written by: Chris Hartenstein
Lately, I have been noticing how much of my life is in a constant state of change. As I get older, my body is physically changing. It’s harder to get rid of that midsection and easier to get tired and worn out. My workout recovery time is much longer and more painful. My memory isn’t as good (folks love to remind me of this haha). As my kids grow up, get married, and have kids, a lot changes. Our time together, their priorities and my role in each of their stories shift. My marriage changes as Ruth and I grow into different people than when we got married. My heart, the inner man, has changed drastically throughout my lifetime. My heart desires intimacy and Dad’s presence. As well as, deeper and more real relationships. Whereas, two decades ago, I desired impact and results.
At work, I am not as passionate about what I do and, yet, I am more passionate about The New Frontier. Even The New Frontier is in a huge state of change. We have a new home in Cherut Ranch, new staff in Erik, Samuel, and Greg, new offerings (men’s weeks, adventure trips, etc.), and a new level of family involvement. Let me just say that for a guy who actually loves change, it is a lot! So much so that at times, it takes my breath away, feels crushing, un-doable, painful, and sometimes it feels more like a loss than a gain.
I regularly have to re-calibrate and ask Dad questions like:
What do I do with this mumbo-jumbo of thoughts and emotions swirling around inside? How do I handle this well? How do I see what only you have a vision of? What do I do with this change? How do I handle it? Do I make or just wait for change? How do I know if God is in it or if it's just me or the world around me?
Just like death, taxes, and Thanos: change is inevitable. It is constant and hard, especially when I do not initiate it. As I have worked through both changes that I welcome and those I do not, there are some ways Dad has kindly and lovingly guided my heart that I would like to share with you. As always, these are offerings of wisDUMB, lessons learned out on the Path.
1.) Give thanks for the past!
Gratitude is so vital for our hearts. It spurs us to praise our Dad’s good heart and blessings. As I look back over my shoulder, I can see all the provision of resources and people, the blessing of the Creech family, and the Bunkhouse at Burnt Fork Ranch. The amazing family times and the growth of my kids and my marriage. The blessings over Hartco, our business, that have allowed us to invest in this little dream called The New Frontier. The incredible ways that loving others has brought our family together. The lives impacted and changed forever. All of this reminds me that Dad has been up to some crazy good things and I need to remember those things. Amidst this hard season of change, He has always brought something better; no matter how good things seemed to be in the present. This fuels my hope and faith in the future.
2.) Give space to feel the change.
As we look back and turn to look ahead there is much we need to “release to receive.” It is hard to lose something even if you will gain something. It’s hard to leave behind what has been so, so good. It’s ok to feel the loss, allow our hearts to mourn, and take the time to “let the past go.” Learn from the past, rejoice in it, and yet move forward still.
I will admit that grieving loss is hard for me. It’s easier for me to “get at” moving ahead. Put my head down and push forward. I’ve learned this tendency is not good for my deep heart and eventually, my heart gets so full of sorrow, that it doesn’t have room for joy and hope. Jesus was a man of “sorrow and grief” and knew it had to be released so He could press on to “the joy set before Him.” I am an image bearer and need the same, and because He has endured what I have – He will enter these places with me and guide me through them.
3.) Listen and follow.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love John 10. The promise of life to the full. The reminder that we have a good Shepard who is “ahead of us, leading us, providing for us.” He knows the way to “the pasture” through the wild place of the wilderness. My role is to know His voice, listen well, and follow courageously. I cannot navigate change well on my own. I need His leading. I need His vision, not mine. In these times of change – I need His presence and the intimacy He offers. It brings peace, patience, provision, HIS plan, and ultimately His purposes happen! I am reminded I am not alone; this isn’t up to me and it's what Dad is doing and not me. I will have lots of clarity on what I need to do but, often I don’t understand. It’s crazy how something so simple can be so difficult and yet, so powerful.
4.) Have hope in the future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremy 29:11
“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
I have to hold onto the truth in the verse above. I have an amazing Dad. He pursues, grows, loves, and desires me. He wants His best for me. He will do all He can to give that if I am willing to believe and receive it. What does He withhold from me? Anything less than His best! He won't do half, or partial, or good enough…He does epic, “exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever hope for or ask!” That is my dad!
With all of this, I encourage you to saddle up! It’s time to cowboy or cowgirl up! We just have to go! Move forward in obedience. Do what it takes. Follow Him out into the adventure.
As you are looking at the changes in your life and evaluating what to do next, I hope and pray this helps you and encourages you “onward and upward” as Jack (C.S. Lewis) loves to say!
Calibration:
Do I like change? Why or why not? Be specific.
How does change make me feel? Why?
How do I grieve? Handle loss?
Do I trust in God’s good heart? Why or why not?
What is one step I can take this week to allow God’s changes in my life? What do I need to release so I may receive Dad’s best?
written by: Chris Hartenstein
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