The Thirty Day Experiment

Confession: I'm a total dork.

Tell me something new!

Anyways, my inner dorkiness is lately manifest in how I spend my lunch break. I read the NY Times on my iPod. It's relaxing, I promise. This week I read an article that really rocked me, called But Will it Make You Happy?

When I read the NY Times article, I wondered what the author might have said differently if he had mentioned Jesus. Like the people in the article, Jesus didn't have many possessions...probably not even 100. Instead, he was rich in followers, building relationships with others and His Father. He knew where His priorities lay. He didn't get stuck on stuff. He knew His course, His purpose.

His disciples knew, too. Paul says it best in Phil 4:11-13: "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in whatver the circumstances. I know how what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

What about you and me? Are you content in Christ? I know I am trying and learning.

Back in the winter, I took the Crown Financial Bible Study with a pretty awesome group of women. I can't say what exactly prompted me to sign up, except that I felt God was prompting me, and pretty persistently, too. By the end, I learned and grew so much. I felt so motivated to begin to live by these principles (as much as I can) and become a better steward. A few months later, I find myself struggling some days to stay the course, but turning to God for strength and endurance.

After reading that article, the Lord said some pretty interesting things to my heart. He said I've become too focused on the the destination (of being debt free, a true steward, totally open to the possibilities of a unique calling God has for me) and not focused enough on the journey. Basically, my head has taken over my heart. I am not truly, 100% content in Him. Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with that assessment. I have been very cranky the past few weeks, selfish, and frustrated very easily. I've taken a lot of personal time for myself, and let some of my friendships and important relationships slide to the background. I've been looking at the destination of being a good steward, while choosing to forget to pray to become daily more like Jesus.

So, I developed what I have not-so-creatively named the Thirty Day Experiment, based on Crown principles and the Times article. My goal: become more like Jesus and more content in Him and in this season of my life. To build a life based on relationships and not possessions.

For 30 days...

I will spend money only on myself for: food, rent and utilities, debt, taxes, the tithe, gas, and basic personal hygiene items (because let's face it, I think Jesus would want me to take a shower now and then).

I will be deliberately relational. I will not spend a majority of my free time on Erin-time. I will reach out to friends, new and old, to build relationships. I am allowed to spend money doing things with these people, but a la Crown, I will work to think of cheap fun things to do (and there are more than you would guess).

I will go through my mountain of stuff, and get rid of 30 possessions.

I will spend $30 performing random acts of kindness for people in my life.

I will spend $30 to help someone in need.

I will spend more time investing in my relationship with God than television, Facebook, or other things that kill time and brain cells.

I wondered if I needed some sort of outcome measure for my experiment. I mean, and this is the therapist in me talking, how do I know if my experiment is a success? How do I assess if living, thinking, and praying like this further conforms my heart to Christ? I can't find a good answer. The best I can come up with is an honest assessment of my heart, turning to God for Him to show me what has grown and changed (I hope) over these 30 days.

I'll journal about my experiences, and share them at the end of my experiment.

The Thirty Day Experiment starts Monday, August 16....stay tuned for details!