The 'Why'

I am a couple of short weeks away from the planned launch of the ‘7’ challenge. And I am so beyond thankful for the fact that I won’t be doing this alone! Several of my old friends, my mom, and my sister are all getting together to discuss our first month’s challenge and how we plan to cope with the impossible task of living off of only seven foods for an entire month. So far, I’ve heard chocolate, lasagna, and enchiladas mentioned as candidates for this fast. Oh, and Reese’s. I’m going to love these women!

As the start continues to draw nearer, the longevity of this commitment is beginning to sink in… seven months of anything is a challenge. Seven months of fasting and making yourself uncomfortable will be much more so. Knowing this, I’ve decided that I should write this down… the ‘Why’ behind what I’m doing. I’m sure I’ll hear that question from others as well, especially when they’ve seen me in the same outfit twelve times in as many days during month two.

The more I think about all that I have, the more that I recognize the fact that I am rich, far more than I used to think. The practice of comparison can be a very convenient practice… as long as you compare yourself to the appropriate group. This generally means comparing with the better when you wish to feel humble and to the worse when you wish to feel right. In comparing myself to the rich and famous I feel quite average. But turn that coin over and compare myself to the poor and destitute and I realize my true status. And realizing my true status continues to grow a concern in my soul about the words of my Lord that I am not taking to heart.

Greed, consumerism, and materialism have taken hold in my heart. The sad part is that I have lived so long in a culture full of people in the same boat as me that I didn’t even recognize it. Even now it takes intentional, mental correction on a regular basis to remind me of my plight. Because of my surroundings, I know that these are not going to be easy traits to defeat. Drop me in the middle of Uganda and it might take a couple of weeks to lose all thought for anything but the necessities of life. Leave me here and I can’t go anywhere without wishing for more. I will not, unfortunately, grow out of them or pass this phase. It will only be through intentional, strategic battles that these three wars be won.

I know I’ll be considered crazy as I do these challenges. People will think I’m weird or misjudge my intentions. Some will be intrigued by it but afraid to try it themselves. Others will shrug their shoulders and go on about their business, never able to care less. But I hope that some will be pricked in their souls and feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit and deal with this grievous blind spot so many of us struggle with. Yet, even if no one else is affected by it… I hope to gain a vast amount of ground in my own life.

My reasons are…

1)      Repentance

2)      Growth

3)      Witness

May those three reasons be my solid ground when the going gets rough… and I’m really craving fajitas.