Volume 30, No. 34
August 28, 2005
Changing Perspective
This is about what Luddites and a king’s electric chair can teach us about a
changing perspective on changing.
For the cloth and lace makers of Nottingham, England it was a looming
disaster. They were among the most respected artisans in the world at the start
of the 1800s but their reputation and livelihood were altered forever by the
invention of steam-driven weaving machines. In no time, the mechanical looms
were making cloth faster and cheaper, forcing the weavers to work for paltry
wages in the factories that were changing the very fabric of their lives.
Suddenly, the power looms started breaking down, one after the other. When
owners demanded an explanation, workers just shrugged and blamed the damage on
an imaginary culprit called Ned Ludd. Then, in early 1811, bitter ex-weavers
secretly sent the factory owners threatening letters — signed by General Ned
Ludd — warning of big trouble if wages and conditions didn’t improve
drastically.
Some of the businessmen gave in. Those who didn’t had their machines
destroyed by “the Luddites” in after-hours attacks. Things escalated when
factory owners in Yorkshire and Manchester hired private guards to protect their
property. In a series of clashes, several people on both sides of the conflict
were killed, prompting a police crackdown. Key Luddites were hanged and many
others were exiled to Australia, effectively unraveling the anti-progress
uprising by 1817. Its only legacy is a name. Today, those who resist change
and technology are still called Luddites.
In high contrast to the Luddites was the passionate but pointless pursuit of
progress on the part of Menelik the Second, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to
1913. He was anxious to modernize his northeastern African country. So when he
heard authorities in New York were using the newly-invented “electric chair” to
execute criminals, he immediately ordered three.
It was only after they arrived in Ethiopia that Menelik realized with a shock
the chairs were useless — his country had no electricity. Undeterred, he turned
one of them into his throne.
When it comes to personal development, there are lessons to learn from both
extremes, starting with the inevitability of change. From the moment we’re
born, we face the formidable transformation wrought by time on our bodies,
relationships and surroundings. It’s scary because change always involves a
loss: a loss of power, predictability, prosperity or protection. Change takes
away our comfortableness and control and makes us choose: adopt and adapt, or
rebel and repel.
It’s hard to embrace change when we see flux as a series of flukes, pointless
and unpredictable. But once we know our Father is loving, powerful and ardently
interested in us, we can encounter change with confidence. Not because He’s
some Puppet-Master in the sky, but because “we know God causes everything to
work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his
purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
When we see He has our best interests at heart, we can hang in there, even
when times are tough, knowing He has a passion and a plan for each of us. “Our
fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t
keep God’s love away.” (v.38)
That’s significant because, spiritually, a change of heart is at the heart of
change. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world,” we’re told, “but
let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then
you’ll know what He wants you to do and how good, pleasing and perfect his will
really is.” (Rom. 12:2)
Notice, the direction and the power come from him. Without the current of
his love coursing through our lives, whatever change we try to make in ourselves
is ornamental, not fundamental. Empty of any force, energy or vitality, it’s
transformation that emphasizes form, but not formation. It’s more about sitting
pretty and sitting still than moving forward. And even a spiritual Luddite
knows that’s not the way to weave a Christian character.
By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the
Followers of Christ church family in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Reprint at
will in not-for-profit publications. To receive these free weekly articles via
email, send a note to
sgamble@bfree.on.ca