I am overwhelmed when I consider how fortunate I am. I have been greatly changed by God's grace. I sincerely thank God for his pursuing presence and love in my life.
As a teenager, I was caught up in the typical "rock band" scene of the 1980s which put me on a path of destructive attitudes and addictions. This was all in the context of an alcoholic/workaholic broken home. Life hurt – I was very angry. All I had back then in terms of meaning in my life were my selfish desires and passions. I remember listening to my favorite music for hours – Rush, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Yes. I remember feeling a sense of emptiness filling my soul as I surrendered my heart to the spiritual idol of music. Music and friends were the only thing two things that were important to me. Maybe not too unusual for a 16 year old.
My spiritual turn around really began with my sister Robin. She is my older sister and she gave her life to Jesus to begin a journey of faith. She began to pray for me and take me to her church. I had grown up in a religious context (Evangelical Lutheran) where I viewed God as distant and strange. My sister, however, was attending church at a Vineyard Christian Fellowship church. She would drag me to church where I would experience music that I could relate too (guitar based band) and relevant Bible teaching. This kind of "church" seemed to relate to me as it spoke of God as an "everyday in your life God" not just a "Sunday religious ritual" God. I began experiencing a spiritual calling to “give my life to Christ.” I resisted for over a year as I was unwilling to give up my vices and friends. My sister continued to pray for me and take me to Christian concerts (Phil Keaggy, Glad, Michael W Smith, Amy Grant, Petra, Rez Band). She introduced me to older Christians that I could look up to. These influences kept the call of God pulling at my heart but they were not enough to convince me that my friends, selfish passions and own Rock band involvement were worth giving up for God.
On Sunday March 4th 1984, a lonely 16 year old boy sat on the floor of his bedroom feeling empty and agonizing over a decision to live for God. A life for God would mean a big change in my life.
I couldn’t do it. Everything that I was using to fill the emptiness would be gone. But what if???? ......What if????
So that amazing day. March 4th, 1984, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.
It was a miracle, really. Unexplainable unless God is true and real. At that moment all the emptiness left me like a wave washing through my body. I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I was reborn to a new life. I was set free from the chains of addictions and felt happy and loved for the first time since my early childhood!
That was when I was 16 years old. Over 27 years ago. I made a commitment back then to seek after the Lord in everything. I quit my band and joined a Christian Rock band. I made a commitment of abstinence until marriage. I fought the cravings of my addictions and over came them with God’s help. I have not had a drink of alcohol (except Holy Communion and stuff like cold medicine). I gave up listening to “secular” rock music and committed myself to all forms of Christian music. I began writing songs reflecting my faith. I attended a Christian University and earned a Bible degree. I dove in – and the water is great!
My life was changed as I turned to God and my life continues to be challenged and changed as I try to seek after the Lord every day still.
I am now a father of 6 kids, a husband of a beautiful, kind and trustworthy wife. I am privileged to lead worship with music and honored to study and attempt to live God’s Word.
I now want to move beyond being simply "Christian" but want live what it means to be a follower of Jesus and His teachings.
As you have listened to my heart in the lyrics of the songs I have written I ask that you join me in my love and devotion to Jesus Christ. I ask that you too would surrender it all and experience God’s amazing love wash over you.
Randy Stanton
