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Serious about Change

You recently took a big step of faith in the right direction.

Maybe it was at church. Maybe it was at a big event.

The location doesn’t matter. What you did does.

You took the dare to change. You made a specific decision. You were sure about it. You were excited about it. You were serious about it.

Then you left the crowd and went home to a house that felt big, quiet and empty.

And suddenly you’re not so sure.

Any golfer can tell you that the secret to a great swing is in the follow through. It’s the same in Tennis.

And it’s the same in life.

I don’t care what decision you’ve made, it’s pretty useless without follow through.

I believe there are 4 main reasons why Christians don’t follow through on the decisions they make. 

1.  You tell yourself it wasn’t such a big deal. It seemed like a big deal in the moment. It seemed like the biggest decision you’d ever made. But suddenly surrounded by your old knick knacks you find yourself minimizing the magnitude of the decision. I know. I’ve been there. But it is a big deal. It’s your life we’re talking about, and it’s the difference between victory and defeat. This lie is loud. Don’t listen to it.

2.  You tell yourself you were just being emotional. You know how big events can be – especially women’s events. They’re filled with tears, hugs and estrogen. But once in the coolness of your home you tell yourself you were just being emotional. You didn’t really mean the decision. No person in their right mind would do anything so dramatic. I know. I’ve been there. But it is emotional, and it is a big deal. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so hard to follow through. Don’t listen to this lie either.

3. You tell yourself you’ll do it tomorrow. Everybody loves tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes. The longer you wait for tomorrow the deeper today’s pit becomes. Change starts now. Stop putting it off. Turn the computer off. Do the thing you said you’d do. I’ll still be here tomorrow and I’d love to hear about your today.

4. You tell no one about it. By far and above the biggest reason that Christians don’t change is that they don’t tell anyone about the decisions they’ve made. Listen to me: if you recently took a step of faith in any area of your life, scroll down to the comments section and tell us about it! Then get on the phone and tell your friends. And update your facebook status. And most importantly, sit your closest family members down and fess up. Accountability is the greatest driver for change.

Look – I’m serious about change in my life. I’m willing to follow through no matter how hard.

Aren’t you?

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  • Milo

    We need to be changing in order to have life. life is all about change. this has to be conscious change where we are willing and obedient in the process. I find dIly character flows that need change and try to keep short accounts with God. everyday I read the scripture, something seems out of place. Keep changing daily in small and big areas and God will be pleased. sanctification is progressive, not at once.

  • Denise

    “We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are.”
    ― John C. Maxwell

    Thank you Lina for a fabulous weekend and the challenges that God gave me through your talks with us. Letting my past continuously impact today, not trusting God enough to let go. Also my attitude of doing this on my own has got to go…. It’s time to let go and leave the backpack behind! Casting all my care upon the Lord…. Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall…..Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

  • Olga Hennessey

    THANK YOU!

  • Gina

    Hi! How true and needed this message.wish I could print and give to my struggling neighbor.God’s words started coming out of my mouth last night. At one point I stopped cause I was actually saying it out loud.Change isn’t always easy but we need to.Thanks for sharing his word and yours with us:) Love and many thanks The Bears,packers and my Family :) :) :)

  • Amber

    Sometime its hard to change, but with GOd on your side you can do anything! I took a step in faith and got a new job, that I’m praying they a give me a day to go to church on the weekend. I told them in the interview I was a Christian and love the Lord and my church very much. I don’t remember the last time I was so bold in my faith. This weekend the Lord showed me a other fruit of the sprit. This made me smile cause this summer I didn’t really understand the fruit of the sprit. Also God change me in the way I spend my time. I find my self wanting more of God every day and how important it is to stay in his word all day. This world is hard so if you dare to change be strong in the Lord and find someone to keep you accountable.

  • Jaclyn Hunt

    Wow! So I have to admit, I am a few days behind on reading your posts Lina, I was going to sit and catch up, how ever I have made a decision at small group to live all out for God. (I still will catch up, but later) I have to go and finish my study for today. I started it and got side tracked, I need to go back now and finish. I will let you know how it goes later!
    Thanks for all your advice
    Jaci