Finding Stability in Times of Change

We live in a world of change and unpredictability. An unstable place affected by climate change, wars, political events and humanitarian crises.

That said, for most of us, change and instability tends to be more personal. Events at work, church or in family scenarios and friendships, or connected to our health and wellbeing tend to have more immediate or lasting effects and consequences.

Not all change is bad of course: many flourish with the opportunity for something new and are enabled to find improvement in their life through increased stability.

So how do we find stability in times of change?

For me personally, I have found the principles of Benedictine spirituality to be useful. For Benedictine nuns and monks, stability, conversatio morum and obedience have particular significance and meaning and the principles of these monastic vows can be helpful for everyone:

• Stability for the nun and the monk is about remaining in a specific community for life. For those living outside such settings, stability often finds itself dependent on many things: our house, job, finances, the place we live, the people we know or the church we go to, for example. And when things happen to threaten those things, such as change or uncertainty, life can feel unstable. For all seeking a deeper relationship with God, stability is found by becoming increasingly rooted in the one with whom that relationship is sought.
• Conversatio morum means ‘fidelity to the monastic life’. However, another term has also come in to use, conversio morum or ‘conversion of life’. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, this conversion, or change, is necessary for our relationship with God to grow. ‘Conversion is a journey in which we are engaged every day of our lives, even at every moment.’(1)  Indeed, we might interpret this particular principle as being about change.
• Obedience to the Abbot or Abbess is a requisite for those in monastic life but isn’t solely about doing what one’s told. Pope Francis describes the meaning very clearly: ‘The word ‘obey’ comes from Latin, it means to listen, to hear others. Obeying God is listening to God, having an open heart to follow the path that God points out to us. Obedience to God is listening to God and it sets us free.’ (2)

For those not called to the monastic life, the principles of the vows can be seen as threads running through our faith. 

You may like to spend some time thinking about:

• What gives you stability in your faith and life
• How you have changed – and perhaps would like to do so
• What do you find helpful in listening to God

As we listen to God we become increasingly aware that in order to change, stability is needed; and in order to be stable, we are also to change. 

(1)  Richard Moth, talk at Oblate Retreat, Douai Abbey, 2008.

(2) Pope Francis, Obedience is a listening that sets us free, April 2013.

Richard Frost

Richard is licensed lay minister in the Church of England in Devon and an Oblate (a lay member of a Benedictine Monastic Community) at Mucknell Abbey. Among other books, he is the author of Life with St Benedict and Finding Stability in Times of Change and writes a blog at Work Rest Pray. Details of his books can be found at richardfrostauthor.com