Leading up to January, ever since David first talked about the Radical Experiment, I have been so excited about starting it. I've always wanted to read the whole Bible in a year. I've always known that I needed to pray for the world but it seemed too big to really think about doing so I didn't really even try. I've always known that missions were important. I've always known that a commitment to a local church and small group of believers was important. I've always known that giving money to God's kingdom was important. Basically I have always known what I needed to do to make my relationship to Jesus a real commitment in my life but for the most part it was all head knowledge. Realistically I just tried to get by in life, go to work, exercise, balance time with friends and family, unwind in front of the tv, say your prayers and go to church on Sunday. I read my Bible some, prayed for the world some, never thought about personally going on a mission trip, and was commited to the church, a small group and tithed when it was convenient for me.
Today David laid out the all the details for the Radical Experiment and I have to say I came home today thinking, "What have I just committed myself to? How on earth am I supposed to pray for the whole world in a concentrated manner, read and study the whole Bible in 365 days, memorize 52 verses, set a cap on the amount of money I spend on myself, spend 2% of my time in another context spreading the gospel, and be commited to my church and a small group. All of that on top of working a full time job, jumping into tax season, taking care of two precious pups, keep a clean house, cook, go to the grocery store, maintain relationships with friends and family, etc, etc, etc." The adversary is really trying to freak me out right now and it's almost working but I know that God is going to show me the way to juggle "life" with Him as the center. That is very comforting to know that He is going to hold my hand every second of every day as I go through this! Knowing Him is the ultimate goal in this and the more time I spend with Him the more I will know Him and the more I will realize that there is nothing in this life that is more important than that.
It takes just 21 days to develop a "habit." That's why when people start a new workout plan they just need to push through the first month and then hopefully their new workout plan and eating habits will stick. I know that if God can get me through January then this won't be so "radical" anymore, it will just be my way of life. On January 1st, 2011 I won't just wake up and say, "Whoa, glad that whole radical thing is over, now I can go back to putting myself first, watching endless tv, ignore the lost and the poor." The habits I form over the next few weeks will ultimately be the way I live my life moving forward and that's pretty awesome. I don't exactly know what that will look like on a day to day basis for me but I'm just about to find out! Please pray for me as I begin this journey!
Trying again. Dr. Mac encouraged us to spend more time in the Word, in prayer, and participating in the church this year. I would have liked a plan such as what y'all are doing. I like plans!
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