Skip to main content

IN HIS FOOTSTEPS: Accept to Adapt to Change

Courtesy: Expressing Change
A Guide to Effective Leadership

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven....” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 Devotion Five. July 5, 2025

Growing up, I often heard the phrase, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” which emphasises adapting to local culture, behaviour, and customs. This principle has its limits, particularly when it comes to food, where cultural differences can be quite significant. For example, in West Africa, some people eat foods like snails and caterpillars, which are considered taboo in my tribe. Nevertheless, over time, one can adjust to and even appreciate these differences, which is a crucial aspect of adapting to change.

This experience reminds me of the importance of timing and adaptability, as highlighted in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. It reminds us that there is a time for everything, including change and adjustment. As believers and leaders, we face various changes in life, politics, and faith, making adaptability crucial for building resilience and creating opportunities in challenging times. 

Moreover, believers and leaders who fail to adapt to change often face opposition from church members, the community, or the organisation they work for or lead. This is evident in countries like Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, and South Africa, where rigid leadership has led to uprisings. God uses these experiences to teach us valuable lessons, as the Lamenter says, “There is a time for everything under the sun” (Ecc. 3:1). 

In light of this, leaders and believers need to adapt to the demanding pressure of change while being guided by God’s wisdom. This wisdom helps us avoid falling into unbiblical change or running amok. For example, the Jews once challenged Jesus, asking why his disciples disobeyed their ancestral traditions by not washing their hands before eating. Jesus silenced them with His wisdom, prioritising God’s command over human traditions (Matthew 15:2-3). 

As we apply this lesson, we realise that adaptability and adjustment to change are crucial for effective leadership. By seeking wisdom from God, we can navigate change with ease, build strong relationships, cultivate resilience, and seize new opportunities. God's desire is for us to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. A good leader listens and adapts to change willingly. 

As we reflect on our own lives, what cultural infractions or values hinder our ability to adapt to change? Let's recall the story of Paul rebuking Peter, who was hypocritical in adapting to change (Galatians 2:11-21). What lessons can we draw from Peter and Paul regarding adapting to change? 

Dear God, thank you for reminding me about the importance of adapting to change as a leader. Guide me and continue to help me learn this principle and apply it in my life and leadership, embracing change whenever it calls. May Your name be praised. 

Amen.


Writer, Critic, and Teacher

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Open Letter to the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State

02-08-2026 His Excellency Louis Lobong Lojore Governor, Eastern Equatoria State Subject: Urgent Appeal for the Immediate Removal of Cattle from Magwi County, Particularly the Nimule Area Your Excellency, I write to you as a concerned citizen regarding the continued presence of thousands of cattle in Magwi County, particularly in and around the Nimule area. This situation demands your urgent attention and intervention. In the recent past, government authorities, local leaders, and communities agreed that the presence of cattle in Magwi County is unacceptable. This position is consistent with the Presidential directive ordering all cattle to return to their areas of origin. Despite this clear directive, many cattle keepers, particularly from Bor, continue to disregard the order and have returned with large herds into the county. Today, thousands of cattle are moving freely in the Nimule area and occupying locations less than ten kilometres from Nimule Municipality. We are all aware of t...
Post a Comment
Read more

DO NOT JOIN STAR INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY MAGWI CAMPUS UNTIL IT FULLY ESTABLISHES ITS OWN STUDY CENTRE

Between 2017 and 2019, I wrote several articles about the fraudulent practices of Kampala University. Those who were its students were aggressively defensive, only to concede later. This happened after the Ministry of Higher Education declared the university illegal. Although the students pursued a legal case against the university, they sadly lost. Education is a right for everyone, but a learning institution should provide quality and legitimate services to the public. In South Sudan, several universities and colleges are operating illegally and exploiting poor students. On 22 June 2026, Star International University (SIU) launched one of its campuses in Magwi Payam, making it the second campus after the Nimule campus, which was established around 2021–2022. Accordingly, this could be the third campus in Eastern Equatoria, including the Torit campus. Such rapid expansion raises serious questions about the credibility of the university. A credible learning institution cannot spread i...
2 comments
Read more

WHO IS "MATTHEW ONEN JOK"?

If names carry weight, then Onen Jok's name is a real load. I have avoided the traditional eulogy of attributing character to names because I found several people, including myself, outside the bond. In Acholi, every name is given based on circumstances or a forecast of the person's life. If it is based on circumstances, it could be the parents' conditions, weather influence, or an event that coincided with the birth. Based on a future forecast, it could be a prophetic wish. What does “Onen Jok” mean in his case, then? Recently, Onen has been delving deep into all hidden caskets to expose the evil phenomena in J1. Surprise? Key officials’ stomachs are running silently in a dilemma. They do not know how their dark deeds will unfold. This is all because of the invisible effects of Onen Jok. Wait; let me explain what 'Onen Jok' means. 'Onen' in the Acholi language is loosely translated as, 1). Let us see. 2). It is seen, and 3). Let it see. And "Jok...
Post a Comment
Read more