Discussion Board
This Is Hard
Posted on Apr 22nd, 2010 at 6:36 PM
As a participant in the Radical Experiment I have been trying to digest all that we have been learning the last 2 years. First through the Radical Series and then Faith Works series. Putting what we've learned into action has been harder than I anticipated. Really hard.
My family and I decided to participate this year, letting go of some of the stuff that takes up resources we really could give away. We mapped out what we knew were extravagances we didn't need and begin working through the things we weren't very sure about. Some of the hardship involved in participating in this experiment we anticipated... some of it we didn't. I thought there would be a brief period of adjustment and then we would settle into it. I'm still adjusting.
I got a catalog in the mail today with some really great new Spring and Summer clothes. POW! I got side swiped. This is the one of the biggest areas I made a commitment about this year. No new clothes. I have a closet full. Everything I would have normally spent on clothes was predetermined to go into the offering basket. No new clothes. This is hard.
I threw the catalog away but I'm still thinking about it. How deeply this desire goes is surprising me. I should be grateful, satisfied, content. How many women around the world got up this morning and put on the same dress they wore yesterday, and the day before?
I should be content. I need to be content. I need to remember where that contentment comes from. I am so easily distracted. My flesh is screaming "order that cute top on page 6!". This is hard.
This is where I have to come to the end of myself and surrender. Surrender to the Word and it's commands. Surrender to the Spirit that is so quietly urging me to look to Him. Surrender is hard. But - "He who began a good work" - the weeding process has begun. I can see them now, the weeds. And they need to go.
It's interesting what this little "experiment" is doing to me. It's exposing me, that's what it's doing. It's exposing the ugly parts I have rationalized and justified. It's pointing out my weakness and my need to depend on Him to enable me to surrender and obey. It's hard, but it's worth it. He is worth it.
Comments
Wow! Your comments make me feel as though I haven't even begun to give up anything. We did a quick evaluation, but I don't feel like we are giving to a point that it hurts. And, that's probably because we didn't really 'count the costs'. We found extra money that was either being wasted or going into savings. I can live without additional savings but we haven't cut new clothes or reduced in other negotiable areas. The work that God is doing in you is driving me to examine myself, my motives, and challenge my family to do more the rest of the year. Thank you for sharing.
Posted on Apr 23rd, 2010 at 8:15 AM by unknown
I wonder how much money could be saved if we let go of our "morning treats" such as coffee, etc. I'm not a coffee drinker but I stop by the store every weekday morning and buy a 14 oz. coke for $1.07. I probably spend $250 a year or so on COKE! How wasteful and unnecessary. That would almost sponsor a compassion child for a yr. It would also cut out a few hundred calories a week I could certainly do without. You're right... this is HARD.
Posted on Apr 26th, 2010 at 10:33 AM by unknown
Your post has encouraged me. Thanks!
Posted on Aug 21st, 2010 at 8:45 AM by unknown
don't forget to ask the LORD to forgive you for lusting for things you don't really need.=)
Posted on Dec 11th, 2010 at 2:43 PM by unknown
So I just finished the book, and I am definitely in. My husband is in seminary and I am starting next year. We do not spend much at all, but we could use our time better and make some cut backs. It is astounding the things we consider "needs" like the cable, texting, data plans, and extravagant accessories. While it is difficult from a worldly standpoint, I cannot wait to see how we grow in communion with God over the next weeks, months, and years.
Posted on Dec 13th, 2010 at 2:42 PM by unknown
When a young man went to his Dad for encouragement because of the hard time he was having, dear Dad seemed unmoved, saying a number of things including "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?" Jeremiah 12:5. The point being, most Americans who are reading this book don't know hard times, but we may yet see them. Many who have lived hard times and found rest in them are viewed as failures by the American Culture Christianity criteria. My this book begin tearing down the idols in our hearts. Eric S.
Posted on Jan 7th, 2011 at 12:16 AM by unknown
I've started a blog to hopefully help hold myself accountable to giving what I don't need. Like that coke the woman above mentioned, or the shirt I really wanted, but can do without. I'm hoping the post might inspire someone else. But I'm not sure if I'm doing very good at the actual posts. I'm not a writer, and I'm not going into much detail, so I don't know if I'm expressing how deeply I feel about all of this. http://jensyearoflivingwithless.blogspot.com/
Posted on Jan 8th, 2011 at 10:14 PM by unknown
Yes, I've been thinking about many of those same things! I spend $15.00 per month on cable TV -- and then $5.00 per month on a Netflix subscription!! What do I need all of that for -- entertainment? I can get a digital antenna in order to get the networks, and that's more than anybody can watch.
Posted on May 25th, 2010 at 5:05 PM by unknown
Just read the book and am...in deep thought about how to live this out and how to get my family on board. My husband mayread the book and then at least I'd have a partner in the house to get on board. Or I should not even assume that if he reads it that he would be moved like I am BUT I'm already seeing God move in his heart in a major way in other areas so we'll see! LOVE reading how others are doing this "radical experiment".
Posted on Nov 23rd, 2010 at 7:28 PM by unknown
I feel your torment. But don't forget to talk to the holy spirit about your giving. Christ came so that we might live with joy and be cheerful givers. He also promised every believer that the comforter (the holy spirit) would come and dwell within us and guide us. Talk to the spirit. Pray and most importantly listen. Yes, Christ might want you to forgo that new top and give, then again he might want to give you that new top and see you smile. We are his children. He likes to give us things and he likes us to give to others with joy. If we lose our joy in trying to give, we need to first stop and consult with the spirit. Mother Theresa said often that we are each called to be joyful and holy exactly in the place that he has put us. We are called to give sacrificially yes, but with joy, not in misery. When asked how to bring about world peace, Mother Theresa often responded to go home and love your family. Peace in your home, will translate to peace in your community and perhaps eventually the world. May God Bless You.
Posted on Nov 5th, 2010 at 8:19 AM by unknown
I just read the book over the last 2 days and for my birthday October 26, my family has decided to take the Radical challenge for one year. My daughter (10) started bawling immediately. My son (8) asked if that meant no more going out to eat. They are filled with questions and I'm sure we'll figure out more as we go along. We are not an extravagant family. We live in a 1600 sq ft home and do without most of the time. We've always given everything away - we've never even held a garage sale...but now, might, to raise money for a mission trip to fulfill our 2% commitment. My children are home schooled so I don't really need the latest outfit for work. I shop at ROSS and just the other day put down the $79.00 BCBG boots that I was salivating over because I made a deal a long time ago to never spend more than $20.00 for a pair of shoes. I can't wait to see how we will spend ourselves on behalf of the needy and more importantly how we will share the gospel. I've bought into the American Dream and I want a buy-out.
Posted on Oct 16th, 2010 at 5:18 PM by unknown
MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU FOR SHARING YOUR COMMENTS. I am going to sleep tonight with a much lighter heart. After several hard years now of heavy monthly sacrificial giving, it's enormously comforting to know that I am neither crazy nor alone. Never have I needed your comments as now.
Posted on Oct 26th, 2010 at 10:11 PM by unknown
Thank you. I just picked up and read the Radical book, and I am just beginning to think of what this will mean for me this year. Your comments really help me to consider the clothing issue. I think that's going to be hard, but I praise God that He can do this in me.
Posted on Oct 27th, 2010 at 7:13 PM by unknown
Wanting new clothes seesm so shallow. But I admit I struggle with it as well... Thanks for sharing. What freedom their is in finding contentment in Christ.
Posted on Sep 20th, 2010 at 1:10 PM by unknown
I too desire material things sometimes. But I have found that when you spend time in the Presence of the Lord, that He changes your desires and your heart. Sometimes I will just put on some worship music and just tune out the world and tune into the Lord. He shows up every time I do this and seems to reset my heart to the desires of His Heart. Then it becomes a pleasure to please the Lord and follow His lead to the things He calls me to do.....
Posted on Sep 22nd, 2010 at 12:32 AM by unknown
It's tough, I agree. Sometimes, I stop caring and want to just throw in the towel. But I keep thinking about how amazing it would be to be at the same place as Paul was when he said he was content in every situation, not dependent on external variables but solely dependent on eternal realities. I don't know if i'll ever get there...
Posted on Sep 8th, 2010 at 11:50 AM by unknown