Over the past few days I've been reflecting on starting this challenge and what it'll mean. There are challenges and hurdles I hadn't previously thought of. Yet I'm excited to begin. I'm ready to start and embrace what is to come.
At the same time, idols in my life are coming more and more to view. Almost everywhere I look I see something that has distracted me from communing with my God. Things I never had thought had a hold on my life... Worry. Money. Worry about money. Pleasing people. Not getting in trouble. At times things I want. Insecurities that prevent me from living my full potential. Plans that *I* want. Dreams. Busyness. Schedules. Needing another roommate. It all screams at me. And frankly, the past few days I've been listening more to those things than I have to the voice of the One who I should be listening to. I have been doing the talking...not the listening. And that needs to stop. Perhaps that is part of the challenge...slowing down enough to listen... How will I practically do this? Not sure yet. I often think as I write, so in a lot of ways this idea is as new to me as it is to those reading this.
So...as I prepare to begin...I realize just how far I am from perfect--and just how much I need God's grace. Life is stressful, empty, overwhelming, loud, scary, and...heavy...without the help of the LORD.
Perhaps this seems a bit off topic from the challenge itself, but it is where my heart is right now. I need to "cease striving and know that HE is God" (loosely Ps. 46:10a). This is not mine. Yet it is easy to let the thought that I have some control take over.
God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Introduction
I have a list of 101 things I want to do before I turn 30. It all began because I thought doing a bucket list at age 19 was rather depressing...but I loved the idea of trying new things! One of the things on my list was to do a 365 day challenge. About a year ago I tried to do one of posting a different picture everyday on Facebook. But I quickly realized that remembering to post a picture a day in the middle of a crazy college semester was impossible... So I dropped the idea. And decided to wait until I had an inspiration.
That inspiration came last Sunday during a sermon. Pastor Matthew was talking about the dangers of coveting as addressed in Micah 2. Towards the end of the sermon he shared about a book (7 by Jen Hatmaker) that involved fasting from various things. It was then that God placed the idea on my heart. I would fast a different thing each month for the next year (a.k.a. 12 different things). They would be things that had either become idols in my heart or things that would purposely place my eyes back on God. But I can't do it alone. And so, I am creating this blog to have you, friends...and new friends...to keep me accountable as well as join in on sharing in God's work. God did not create us to do things alone! He put us as part of the Church. And thus, I want to share it. There will be high points and low points, but I know that God will use this year to change me. If you feel so led, please feel free to join me at any point! Fast whatever you feel the LORD is calling you to fast.
My launch date is August 1, 2012. As for what I'm fasting, I am not sure yet. I am praying about that right now...and have an idea, but I will wait to share it until I am sure that is what I'm doing. Each month I will ask God what He wants me to fast for the next month. My instinct is to plan it out, but I know that this will give me a level of control in this journey that I don't want. I want God to lead. I am also refraining from sharing my ideas as of now because I want you to discover along with me what I am doing. On the 1st of every month, I will write about what I have decided to fast for the next month and why. During the month, I will post about what I'm learning. And then hopefully at the end of the month I will share my reflections. Since I will be entering another crazy college year I cannot promise how many times I will post per month, but I will do my best! :)
Why am I calling it Re-Challenge? Well, because it to do with a lot of "re"s: a time to repent of idols in my life, a way to refocus my heart on God, a time of refreshment in seeking the LORD, and also a "retry" of a 365 day challenge.
Please join in praying for me--and fasting if you so feel called! Join whenever you want...it doesn't have to be August 1st. I know that God is going to do amazing things--and I can't wait to see what they are!
That inspiration came last Sunday during a sermon. Pastor Matthew was talking about the dangers of coveting as addressed in Micah 2. Towards the end of the sermon he shared about a book (7 by Jen Hatmaker) that involved fasting from various things. It was then that God placed the idea on my heart. I would fast a different thing each month for the next year (a.k.a. 12 different things). They would be things that had either become idols in my heart or things that would purposely place my eyes back on God. But I can't do it alone. And so, I am creating this blog to have you, friends...and new friends...to keep me accountable as well as join in on sharing in God's work. God did not create us to do things alone! He put us as part of the Church. And thus, I want to share it. There will be high points and low points, but I know that God will use this year to change me. If you feel so led, please feel free to join me at any point! Fast whatever you feel the LORD is calling you to fast.
My launch date is August 1, 2012. As for what I'm fasting, I am not sure yet. I am praying about that right now...and have an idea, but I will wait to share it until I am sure that is what I'm doing. Each month I will ask God what He wants me to fast for the next month. My instinct is to plan it out, but I know that this will give me a level of control in this journey that I don't want. I want God to lead. I am also refraining from sharing my ideas as of now because I want you to discover along with me what I am doing. On the 1st of every month, I will write about what I have decided to fast for the next month and why. During the month, I will post about what I'm learning. And then hopefully at the end of the month I will share my reflections. Since I will be entering another crazy college year I cannot promise how many times I will post per month, but I will do my best! :)
Why am I calling it Re-Challenge? Well, because it to do with a lot of "re"s: a time to repent of idols in my life, a way to refocus my heart on God, a time of refreshment in seeking the LORD, and also a "retry" of a 365 day challenge.
Please join in praying for me--and fasting if you so feel called! Join whenever you want...it doesn't have to be August 1st. I know that God is going to do amazing things--and I can't wait to see what they are!
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