If It Ain’t Broke
A phrase that most of us are very familiar with...
Of course, the notion is that when something is working then there is no need to change it’s structure, behavior, or function. This is another way to say, leave well enough alone.
There indeed is some merit to the statement. Some things are just settled. Scripture even tells us of the doctrines that are settled and established, never to be questioned or changed. The writer explains this to the Hebrew church in the book of Hebrews.
The writer here is establishing that there is a foundation that is laid that will never be shaken or stirred. Repentance, Faith, Baptisms (both water and the spirit), and so on. These things indeed do not need fixing. It is imperative that they never change.
It is important to note, however, that although absolute truth cannot be changed: context, culture, variables, and seasons of life are constantly changing.
The logical conclusion is that to still operate in absolute truth with an everchanging world around us some things may need to be rebuilt even if they are not broke. It may mean the difference in millions, both financially and relationally.
Let’s think of the Industrial world for a moment and regard mechanical developments.
A process for developing a particular item is based on how the item was made by hand. The most appropriate place to begin with any process is what we already know. With the development of mechanical processes and equipment the very nature of how the item is to be built must be considered. It just might be that more efficiency can be achieved, or a greater strength, or possibly a higher quality as the materials, machinery, and processes now work in harmony.
The admonition of course has it’s individual merit and wisdom but as is with most things the opposite is true. If it isn’t broke then by all means do not touch it; however, if you have always done it that way because it has always been done that way; an evaluation is imperative.
The Difference between Breakdown and Breakthrough
The mechanical process for a particular device required thousands and thousands of gallons of water per day to manufacture. Upon evaluation of the system the logic for building the device was based on how the device used to be built by hand.
It is important to note that this is the best place to start. If we know how to do something well and efficiencies come along to do the same thing well then we should by all means apply them. This meant it could be done faster and with better accuracy but not something that was astonishingly multiplicative.
As time went on; however, the process was re-evaluated and a revolutionary thing occurred.
The same device was manufactured with the same pieces and the same constitution. Nothing changes about what made the device functional but a review of the manufacturing process revealed an opportunity to use the tools and resources available to radically change how it was all put together. This was a “paradigm shift,” if you will, to use the context of their current environment to change how the device was produced.
The simple change in using their resources the way they were intended to be used, in the modern context they needed to be applied, yielded exponential multiplication.
The amount of water needed to be used reduced tremendously and saved them thousands, maybe millions. And, because of the efficiency of the mechanical systems, on average they were able to produce five times as many of the device as they were by simply mechanizing the “by-hand” construction method.
The difference between breakdown and breakthrough is looking at what works and making sure it works best. Reevaluate its context, what resources are available, and what tools can be used. Does that change anything about how you would complete the task? Does it change how we think about completing the task? Does it provide opportunity for creative insight?
It’s seems insignificant but the cost of water for the example manufacturer could become a real point of breakdown. As markets shift, labor changes, the high expenditures on water and the labor to navigate it may in time become a point that could break the system.
Breakdown can be an inevitability of every system, process, tool, resource if it’s not routinely evaluated for effectiveness. The tool or resource may not need to be discarded but repurposed to activate its full potential.
This is the appeal of my admonition today. If it ain’t broke…maybe just take a look and make sure that it doesn’t need fixed. Or more appropriately, that it doesn’t need repurposed to access untapped potential.
These simple adjustments bring revolutionary changes and increase the capacity of manufacturers, companies, and engineers the like. The same can be said in our everyday lives.
Seasons bring Success
As we strive to build a life that is pleasing to God and fulfills our Kingdom purpose we should take opportunity to evaluate if there are any areas that may benefit from such a breakthrough.
This is not to say that what works in our lives should be changed for change sake but there may be some capacity at stake. Some productivity could be found by fixing something that isn’t really broken.
The clearest opportunity, in my opinion, for these breakthroughs to occur are the changes of our seasons in life.
As the seasons of our lives change our context changes. Tools, responsibilities, resources all adjust as we progress through the seasons of our lives. Some seasons boast of abundance in all areas while others bring scarcity.
As the preacher would show us in Ecclesiastes, the context of our lives seasons are vastly different but one thing remains constant—us.
Both scarcity and abundance are superpowers in the hands of builders that will evaluate what opportunities are available to maximize the potential of both states.
We are the biggest asset, or roadblock, to fixing our lives as seasons change—even when nothing appears like it needs to be.
For instance, my wife and I are in the small babies season of life. This season can be somewhat chaotic and most of the time our resources, that you once had, are dedicated solely to keep these little guys alive (2 boys for us).
What has revolutionized my life in this season was a mindset shift. It is easy in the moment to realize there is much I’d like to do that I am not getting done; however, two things have “fixed” what was never broken.
The example may seem simple to some but our parenting was never broken. Our relationships were never on the line, but some consideration as to what was available to us increased our capacity, production, and life.
Seasons are the greatest opportunity to make engineering advancements that revolutionize the design of our lives. Similar to those moments where industry finally applies the right resources the right way and tailors the tools to work as intended, breakthrough and transformation occurs.
So, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but consider if you’re on the precipice of breakthrough and fix it anyway.
Let's build together.