What is your lifestyle like? If you live in North America or in Europe, I can make a guess. Sure, it will vary depending on your income and specific location, but most of us (those with regular internet access) are fairly comfortable. Do we ever stop to wonder how our lifestyle impacts people in other parts of the world?
A few years ago lots of us would have been astonished at the thought but, more recently, we’ve become aware of how interconnected all the countries really are. Still, sometimes we shove those thoughts onto the back burner and ignore them, preferring to go our merry ways and not think too much about it. Thinking might require changes.
The author not only embraces those changes but leads the charge in challenging the rest of us, as well. L is for Lifestyle seems at first like a cute alphabet book with chapters like “A is for Activists” and “G is for Globalization” and “S is for Simplicity.” It didn’t take me long to realize that the author hadn’t stretched the concepts (much!) to fit the alphabet, but that each chapter contains a targeted examination of the subtitle: “Christian living that doesn’t cost the earth.” Each also ends with suggested action points.
If you’ve ever wondered whether little steps add up, if anything you do personally even matters, I suggest you pick up L is for Lifestyle. Amazon doesn’t sell it directly, so check it out at The Book Depository, which offers competitive prices and free shipping.
Ruth Valerio writes and speaks on global justice issues for Christian Relief, Education and Development (Cred), is a Tutor at the Open Theological College and runs A Rocha’s Living Lightly 24:1 initiative. Previously she was Head of Social Responsibility for the Evangelical Alliance. She lives with her husband and two young daughters in England. When she’s not speaking on the Bible and ethical issues, Ruth enjoys working on her allotment, and minding chickens and pigs.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher Inter-Varsity Press for the purposes of review.
