Habit of Change

by Janice Baca

We all have a call and a purpose given by God. There is not one person here by accident, or as a result of someone's lust or love. We were created by design. Within that design, God gave us skills and a passion to fulfill that dream.

In Letters to A Young Poet by Rainer by Maria Rilke, I was reminded to fulfill my destiny with excellence:

"Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple "I must," then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your while life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse."

If all you think about is writing, then you are a writer! Therefore, whatever God has called you to do, do with all your heart and be the best you can be.

As I was contemplating how to be more creative in my writing, I knew change had to occur. Creativity is innovative change. Therefore, I knew I had to implement a life of change.

On the way to work, I remembered a Major I worked with in the US Air Force. She was an odd character. In fact, people avoided her because of her odd behaviors.

One day, we were walking our "usual" path, when suddenly the Major diverted to a different hallway leaving the rest of us behind in the midst of our own conversations.

We eventually met again in the office. I was extremely curious. I ask her why she would deflect from the logical path. She stated she does not live a life of habit because the enemy tracks and attacks by our patterns. I found her reasoning very interesting.

I must admit she was the most creative officer I knew. But in all her oddities, she had a point, going the "usual" path and doing the "usual" activities leaves us easy for enemy attack. Also, looking at the bigger picture revealed her life of change was the source of her creativity.

Therefore, what can you do to produce creativity? It"s driving a different street to work; take lunch a different time; dance the Tango when you are a ballerina; or change the arrangement of your furniture. It's implementing a habit of change.

Be creative and grow in your gifts and calling. Seek to be excellent for His glory. The Lord wants us to go beyond our boundaries because He is boundless. Therefore, be creative and make a habit of change.