"LifeStyle"

This has been on my mind the last few days. I think that its a defining moment in ones life - kind of like taking a turn in direction in life that puts you on a different course. The definition of:

LifeStyle~
the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.

Our past, the way we were raised, the habits we form from selfish desires through our teenage years and into adulthood, our personal life struggles and situations, our physical challenges can all mold our Lifestyle. But - we all have a choice. Right now we can live a life of reflecting on our past or let our life reflect Christ so that we can truly live. The choice is ours to make.
LifeStyles are those decisions where we are going to go "Healthy" - especially with the new years right around the corner. The gym's will be packed with folks turning a corner and making a decision to improve their health - to live better and have more energy. There is good in making that lifestyle decision - but how many are still there come May?
The alcoholic - makes a decision to stay off the booze but every day is a struggle. Does this person have the willpower to make this lifestyle change? LifeStyle change can be a hard thing because its a new direction in life and sometimes its a hard direction to follow down until it becomes your new LifeStyle.

Carol, Kyle and I - 2 years ago walked into our church on Easter morning. It was one of those morning like so many others who venture out in search of something, a place to fit into and have a church home, a new direction in life - 2 days a year are these days that folks visit churches - Easter and Christmas. Some of these folks are even Christians and only come on those 2 days... but what about all the in between days? There is where the LifeStyle change transformation takes place. Its all the Sundays in between~ Once we get our faith out of Sunday and into our every day week and into our everyday life - thats when LifeStyle really takes hold and we got something!

When I think about the phrase "A Lifestyle change", I think about becoming involved in your church can also be a "Lifestyle change". I know it was for Carol and I. The thought of serving at church was almost comical to us. (looking back I am ashamed really) At our old church, people serving in different places would call and ask if we could help them do this and that and we were always busy - when deep down I knew we weren't. We never made the connection to serving and being a bigger part of the church because in reality we didn't really "get it". We felt under-qualified, not worthy, and not holy enough - not even connected enough. We felt like we didn't have anything that the church needed or even wanted. But, through attending Rocky River Community Church the past 2 years, for the first time a Lifestyle change has begun. We do have gifts and talents that our church needs and wants and just recently we have discovered we have PASSION for these gifts and talents that God has blessed us with that the church needs and wants! We have also learned to put God first in every area of our lives. We had to come together and choose that we would jump in even though we had no clue what we were doing (and still don't). We gave up more sleep on Sunday mornings, a self-centered schedule, unhealthy friendships, working late hours and weekends, arguing over little things that don't matter much, crying ourselves to sleep and in search of what life was all about. We found that a lifestyle centered around "self" is not a life at all. We chose to let God direct the life He wanted for us. Along the way, we have shown our son Kyle so many things about the practical love of Jesus that we could have never taught him if we had not put God first in our lives. We have friends, that care and love us more than family. We have a hurt in our heart for lost people and for those around us to come and experience Jesus like we have. It really hurts when we continue to hear excuses as to why they won't come to church or folks find excuses not to serve on Sunday mornings and we are really putting 155% of our time, energy, talents, money and PASSION into what we are doing. We are doing this as a family and our son Kyle "Gets it". It took me 38 years and the passing of my mom for me to finally "get it". So much lost time and so much missed out on.

I want a Lifestyle change for every person in our community and for every person that walks through our church doors. Serving is an introduction to selflessness that I hope to see grow in every volunteer and your ministry become a reflection of what Jesus is all about in every area of your lives. As a volunteer you are the sermon illustration every week - you are what the preacher is trying to explain. As people get to hear about Jesus from the stage, they get to see a reflection of Jesus in every other area of the church.

Does your Lifestyle reflect a fruitful service for Christ? Are you attending a church 1 or 2 times a year and call yourself a follower of Jesus?
Do you need to make a Lifestyle change? How have you experienced a Lifestyle change?

God is willing to help with that change ~ You just have to do the first part and ask Him.
I guess now the shoe is on the other foot..... I am the one calling and asking folks to serve and have a chance to experience a "LifeStyle" change.

What is holding you back?

Randy~