Advertisements for “new and improved” have abounded for as long as we can remember, and likely for as long as our ancestors could remember. (We can imagine marketers proclaiming to parents that in order for their children to keep up in school they’d need the latest-style design of cuneiform tablets).

Today we have smart phones—if this world lasts long enough, future generations may see the iPhone 1000 released, accompanied by major fanfare. Unless something better than smartphones comes out, rendering them obsolete. Still, remember when iPhone 2 came out, along with long lines of eager customers waiting to get that latest innovation?

I still remember a computer-geek friend of ours showing off his Windows ’95 system computer, describing the “huge” amount of RAM and memory and other features I couldn’t comprehend, except that apparently this was the pinnacle of cutting-edge technology. Now we have thumb-drives with more memory than Windows ’95 had.

What does all this tell us?

–>The new thing today will be the already of tomorrow.

Does that mean we should change everything about ourselves, our stuff, our methods, our lives?

As we forge ahead into another new year, consider this past year—remember how new it all was last Jan. 1^st? Some of us made New Year’s resolutions. Many of us set goals—short-term, mid-term, and long-term. Some of us tried many new things and made many adjustments to our lives, while others of us didn’t.

What matters isn’t how many new things we do or try, or how many adjustments we make. It’s not how much or how radical the new things or changes are. It’s not even how big a splash that new/changed action or attitude makes.

Because what if we’re splashing in the wrong lake or sea? What if it has the wrong effect? What if our motivation stinks? What if that new thing or change does more harm than good?

Don’t get me wrong—I love to try new things, and am a change agent, idea-person, and innovator in every group or team I’m part of. But I’ve also learned that:

~The new way/thing needs to be positive

~The new way/thing needs to be sustainable

~The new way/thing needs to benefit everyone, not just ourselves

~The new way/thing needs to last if it’s that good

Therefore, if last year’s new things/changes/additions/approaches still meet the above conditions, keep going! Don’t dump them just because the calendar year just went up one number!

Also, consider the season—is it meant to continue for a while, or is it time for a change? In Jan., in the northern U.S., we don’t expect or look for blossoms, but by April we’re really ready for them!

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” Eccles. 3:1

Whatever our sphere of influence, whether in top leadership, mid-leadership, or group members, make sure the “new” we start builds on whatever “already”s exist as a necessary foundation. After all, who goes back down stairs they’ve already climbed, unless it was in the wrong direction?

Also keep in mind that whoever we influence receives the consequence (positive or negative) of whatever changes. This happens in families, companies, schools, churches, everywhere—even if it only affects ourselves.

This, actually, can never happen. Unless we live in total isolation, our attitudes and actions will impact others.

When we sense the need for some kind of change, make sure it’s consistent with the Lord’s overall plan and design for our life, as well as with his character. While He brings about many new things in our life, all for our good, He Himself never changes in purpose or character:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

Sure, add more if needed. Tweak as needed. Change as needed. Course-correct as needed. But hang on to the right “already”s that we’ve put in a lot of effort to establish.

Growing up, in the Girl Scouts we learned and often sang this song:

“Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold!”

Don’t stagnate. Don’t vegetate. Don’t hesitate (to change whatever we need to). When it’s time for something new, embrace it—don’t hang on to junk from the past—keep a forward focus:

“’Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’” Is. 43:18-19

Part of the right kind of change and creating/becoming something new involves ourselves— toward better attitudes, thought-life, and character. That will, in turn, produce wisdom in our decision-making, kindness in how we relate to others, and the true success that comes from them.

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Eph. 4:22-24

Still, don’t annihilate what we started a year or more ago that happens to be a direction we need to continue. A step up we’ve already taken in that long “flight of stairs” toward who we’re designed to be and what we’re called to do!

We can discern when, what, and how to change, along with what to keep. Step by step.