While living in Thailand a number of years ago, I learned how to windsurf on one of our family vacations. I’ll never forget one of the first things my instructor asked me before I began the challenging and painful process of learning this new sport: “What do you know about the wind?”

Wind is an interesting phenomenon. It can quickly pick up, let up, and change direction. In fact, wind is often equated with change; people fear the “winds of change.” (In church world, some would consider “change” a “dirty" word!) Some say the “winds of change” will take you out to sea and you’ll be lost forever! And that’s actually true--it could happen!

There are really three things you can do in response to the “winds of change”: 

1. This one we’ve already mentioned--you can let the wind take you out to sea and be lost forever.
2. Secondly, you can resist it or fight it! Or, just “stay home” and never deal with change. In my case with windsurfing, I could have chosen to just stay on the beach and never get out on the sea and encounter a new adventure (And often, “out on the sea” is where you'll find real adventure or make a difference in the world!). 
3. Thirdly, you can harness the wind or adjust to it in order to reach a desired destination. In other words, learn to work with the wind! Understand it and harness its power. Go somewhere, accomplish something, and make a difference! 

In Thailand, I chose to work with the wind and learn a new sport. I sustained multiple bruises from falling hard on my board during the learning process. But it was worth it. I directed my windsurf board to a destination and then worked my way back to return the equipment. It was hard—yes, but an amazing experience!

In this series, I want to discuss change! Now obviously not all change is good. But some change is both good and necessary.