I’m late on writing this post. Why, you ask?
I kind of don’t want this study to be over, if I’m being totally honest.
As a task-oriented thinker, I can sometimes flounder when I come to the end of something. Especially in this instance, as the end is here for our 9 weeks of fasting together. Now it’s time for the real living it out to happen. These are no longer weekly projects, but life changes for us to grab hold of tight. It is sort of lonely without a checklist to follow or project to plan.
I’m nervous to go out and make things happen and I’m scared of failing and feeling like a hypocrite. That nagging feeling that I need to go all in or just quit is still in the back of my mind as we close this chapter. I also know that there’s no room for shame when we falter. Feeling guilty about __________ isn’t going to help anything.
“He sent the Prince of Peace to soothe those tumultuous waters already. Self-deprecation is a cruel response to Jesus, who died and made us righteous. Guilt is not Jesus’ medium.” || Jen Hatmaker
I’d like to encourage you as you continue on this ride of rejecting excess in your life. Keep your eyes on the prize and your focus on loving the Lord always. When we love the Lord and understand his love for us it is then that our love of others will follow.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” || Jesus, Matt. 5:12
With that, we close our 9 week study together. I hope that you have grown in your understanding of the Scriptures and what they have to say about excess.
How has removing excess made you more aware of God’s kingdom work?
What have you learned about yourself and your heart?
What has most changed you? Where do you still need to work?
