Monday, March 24, 2008

Miracles

"Assuming miracles happen, what is their chief limitation with respect to use in change management?" was a question I first posed on LinkedIn.

Here is my summary of answers posted before it was flagged:

"My summary take on the issue:

On the one hand, there are objections:

(A) Change management is an effort at control and miracles are outside of our control. The acceptable way to work with miracles is to consider them as luck. Work hard and prepare well (Bjorn);

(B) Change is not accomplished by one-time miracles (Sherri), but is more organic. Approach it more naturally like tending a garden (Kevin);

(C) Introducing "miracles" into discussions invites divisive debates about religious beliefs (LB) and suggestions about where such talk is more appropriate (Jorgen);

(D) Depending on the source of the "miracle," it is still a matter of choice of what to believe. (Cristina)

On the other hand, some:

(E) see no limitations (Ryan) because God (not god or gods) is ultimately the cause (Ralph);

(F) see miracles as a change of consciousness (Elaine);

(G) see miracles everyday and encourage seeking miracles without limitation, but warn against thinking God's a miracle-machine (Arne);

(H) see life as miraculous for people of faith (MarcArthur).

I answer as follows: Miracles, supernatural interventions by God into the natural order of life, happen. They happen every day to and in view of people all over the world. Their chief limitation is that miracles convert the mind by force of evidence whereas change is accomplished by change of heart (will). A miracle may be necessary in helping some achieve change but a miracle is not sufficient to force change. We, with our God-given free will, may still resist the message of the miracle.

In reply to the responses, I say:

(A) & (E) In the most difficult situations, praying for a miracle after hard work and preparation is the way miracles have traditionally been sought. (Ask and you shall receive.) Miracles may appear as luck to those yet to receive the gift of faith in God.

(B) & (F) Change is not accomplished by one-time miracles, unless the one-time change is a change in consciousness which is the inner response to outward signs of miracles. Seeds must be sewed in good soil, but they sprout as if all at once.

(C)& (G) Permitting miracles to be discussed in change management may result in more unifying conversations about where changes must take place: in our hearts, not just in our minds. ("Believe me...the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...").

(D)& (H) When a person believes that God is the source of a miracle, which is correct by definition, he or she has arrived at this belief, neither by mere choice among available alternatives nor by rational judgment based on pre-established criteria, but by a process of decision-making. In that process, the person has assented to what God wants shown by way of the miracle. (The blind see; those who don't are blinded.) Those who “get it” may be grateful. Those who don’t may want to renew their sense of wonder. "

The question was flagged for the following "reasons":

This question has been flagged by other users as:

* inappropriate content
* misrepresentation
* other

What do you think?

John
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Books for Decision-Makers

Below are links to books for decision-makers organized by relevant questions and answers that relate to particular milestones along the Decision-Maker's Path (tm). An alphabetical listing of books may be found at: Alphabetical List of Books.

Books for Decision-Makers

1. Where are you coming from?

2. Where are you wanting to go?

3. What are you waiting for?


4. What are your wise ones generally advising?

5. What are the pros and cons of the issue?

6. What are the "Powers That Be" saying?

7. What is your real agenda?

8. What are the facts and reasons you are contending with?

9. What insights and oversights are emerging?

10. How are you telling the story of your decision?

11. What are you willing to risk to gain what you can only be hoping for?

12. How are you determining that the decision you discern is the right one?


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