Several years ago, a friend and I decided that, as young moms, with busy husbands, and ministry commitments, we wanted to make sure that our time with the Lord wasn’t getting overlooked in the chaos that was our everyday lives. We both realized that, for us, this was going to mean getting up early. Neither of us were really what you might call “morning people,” so, we decided we were going to need help. So we took turns calling each other, each morning to make sure the other was out of bed. While the desire to ensure that I had some time in the Word and in prayer before my daughter was up and ready to go for the day was certainly there…there were definitely mornings when the promise (threat?) of her phone call would propel me out of bed, when I might have otherwise decided to slack off, sleep in, and put it off until I got around to it…”later.” Sometimes I was the one making the wake up call. And, not wanting to let my friend down was also a strong catalyst to get myself going when my alarm went off. Neither of us wanted to be the one who was still sleeping when that accountability call came in! Now, we were young moms, and even though we each only had one child at the time, there were some mornings that truly did call for a little extra sleep (illness, teething, bad dreams…sometimes that’s just how it is). But, we still made sure to ask about what the other had read, or learned later on in the day. And, we prayed for one another. Consistently.
It’s easy to start out strong, and enthusiastic. But, eventually, the newness wears off, and having someone else to encourage you (or push you) along, when you feel like sleeping in…when “life” begins to get in the way of your new commitment…when other activities look easier, or at least more enjoyable.
That is the purpose of this Facebook group. Consider this group your virtual wake-up call. We will check in regularly. Expect to be asked where you are, or how you are doing in your challenge. We can encourage one another to keep going when we would rather give up. We can pray for one another when we are discouraged, or behind, or not seeing any real progress. And, we can rejoice with each other as we see these ventures to completion, and see the fruit of challenging and stretching ourselves to grow spiritually!
While each of these challenges are personal, and are being undertaken for a variety of reasons, we are not designed to live our spiritual lives independently of one another.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ~Philippians 2: 1-4 (ESV)
As promised, I have created a Facebook Group for this challenge. Join us here:
Summer Challenge Facebook Group
If you would like, share the challenge, and invite others to join as well!