Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

•The phrase “Life Change” was heard last Sunday morning during Brian Suter’s sermon at Westwood Community church regarding Saul who later became known as Paul, the author of at least 7 and maybe as many as 14 books of the bible (depending on which scholar you trust) and went from persecutor to apostle and eventually persecuted for his beliefs. A substantial life change chronicled in the most influential book ever written.

•I happened to be watching a show about the NBA last week describing the Detroit Pistons and the rivalry with the Chicago Bulls. During the show on a popular sports network, they pointed out how one fairly famous guard got tired of getting beat up at the basket so he resolved to build himself up physically and mentally to what we know now as superstar status. This life change played out on the basketball court and went far beyond that. Once completed, the resultant statistics and accomplishments sparks debate about who was the greatest player of all time.

•”We’re pregnant.” I’ve never experienced so many emotions simultaneously as the day I heard those two words for the first time. Fear, surprise, anticipation, joy and trust…all came through me in a flash.
-I didn’t feel I was prepared to be a father, (and I used to enjoy the illusion of being in full control).
-This was a very busy time in our lives and it became obvious in an instant that things were about to change dramatically.
-After initial shock, the anticipation started to build. I’m going to be a daddy!
-What a gift God has entrusted Carole and I to be an integral part of.
This was the beginning of the most significant life change for me.

One common thread in each of these snippets is that anxiety and adversity led to action and amazement.

*Imagine Paul making a reversal from a self righteous man persecuting others for their beliefs to recognizing he was the chief of sinners and dedicating the balance of his life to helping so many others find everlasting life.

*Imagine Michael Jordan pulling himself up from professional ball player, a status very few achieve, to undisputed superstar.

*Imagine a pair of young college students focused on completing their education interrupted with the greatest gift possible and immediately transforming from a self-reliant couple to service-oriented parents.

We all experience life change. It’s not always positive. Most of the time we have a choice in how we react to these moments in our lives. Do we step up to the challenge or do we surrender to the status quo?

Imagine what you might miss if you let the anxiety and adversity rule your choices thus depriving yourself the opportunity to experience something amazing.

Have a blessed weekend!