Challenges Change Us
A week ago I met with staff in one of the programs under
my management (portfolio) to discuss changes that would take place in this
fiscal year. These changes would be a
challenge for them because it means tracking additional services that required
by our funding agency. The contract for
this program was just renewed for another three year period and provides
comprehensive services to victim survivors of crime; including intimate partner
violence and sexual assault. Additional
services were added to ensure that our participants would get the best services
possible to meet their needs in order to “enhance their quality of life.” One person on my staff is already challenged;
time management is a major issue and focusing on tasks at hand is another. This person is not able to keep up with
“changes” in program deliverables or meet deadlines. Micro managing is not my style of supervision
but, in this case, I have to “change” in order to enable this staff person to adjust
and adapt to the changes being made in our program and overcome the challenges
in meeting its goal and objectives; staying in compliance with funding agencies
is important.
The person asked, “Why do we always have to change
things?” My observation - yes, change is
hard and it is a challenge to meet funding expectations, nothing magical just
happens. Social service agencies that do
not comply with contractual goals and objectives may lose a contract; funding
and staff might lose their jobs. A few
years ago, my programs collaborated with another community based agency in
providing services to participants living in our communities. Because of non-compliance, the agency lost
funding for their program and closed down; many of the staff lost their jobs. As a manager, I am responsible for my staff
and I hear them when they are challenged; they don’t like change. But, my staff is not alone; I am right there
with them in “the boat.” My staff at
times forgets that the goals and objectives of the program are the focus of
everyone on the renewed contract; we are a team. I have already made some changes to meet
these challenges to make reporting to the funding agency easier for staff to manage;
making their job responsibilities bearable, doable through “this storm” will
change them. Staff will grow and improve
their advocacy on behalf of the participants whom we serve.
I recently posted a song on Facebook that is sung
by The Collingsworth Family called, “He Already Sees the Rainbow.” The song is based on the narrative in the
Gospel of Mark 4:35-41. I love this song
because it reminds me that when faced with challenges in life there will always
be worthwhile outcomes; meaningful ones with lessons learned, or hills climbed,
or storms sailed through to the other side.
However, we do not have to go through the “storms” alone. The narrative in Mark reads that Jesus and
his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee to the other side by boat,
probably a fishing boat that belonged to either James and John, or Peter and
Andrew. While Jesus and his disciples
were on their way by sea they found themselves challenged by a raging
storm. The disciples, struggling in the
storm were afraid and fearing for their lives woke Jesus up in a panic. Seeing the look and fear on the disciples’
faces, Jesus rebuked (charged) the storm to stop and the sea was calm once
again. Jesus asked, “Why are you so
afraid? Do you still have not
faith?” Hmm, yes! Why were they afraid when Jesus was right in
the boat with them, fast asleep and not worrying one bit about the storm? Ah, this was a challenge for the disciples that
caused change; a challenge of their faith that later resulted in their own
growth.
People who profess they Christians should not just
live believing that professing you are a Christian and saying that Jesus was
resurrected, need to understand that being a Christian is more than just saying
and believing that you are. Being a
Christian is the start of a journey, a journey that brings challenges in life
that change you and that change how you relate to others. Being a Christian takes faith and as believers
in Christ, faith will always be challenged in life. There are a lot of images in the Bible, Old
and New Testaments that point to faith being challenged and overcoming the
challenges that bring change, growth in faith.
Isaiah 43:1-3 God says to Israel that when challenges come, they would
come through unharmed, but they would be changed; faith in God would grow. In 1 Peter 1:3-7, we read that enduring challenges
(trial’s) when they come prove the genuineness of faith that in comparison is
more precious than gold and is not able to be destroyed like gold.
I personally do not like challenges and changes; I
would rather not deal with them all.
But, as Jesus promised his disciples and to those who would come to
believe, he would always be with them and this assurance comes as an Advocate
(Holy Spirit), God who dwells (lives) within those who believe (John 14:15-19
NIV). Advocate, I love this translation
for the Holy Spirit; I’m a Social Worker.
With the Advocate dwelling in me, I am able to face challenges because I
can expect changes, outcomes for my good (Romans 8:28). As I finish writing this “blog,” a college
classmate, Chris Adshade, a friend and one whom I love dearly just posted the
following quote on Facebook that I find so appropriate, it’s a God send.
“Not all
storms come to disrupt our life, some come to clear your path.”
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