The Difference Project: Months 4-7

It's been a while since I've written about The Difference Project. (Click on The Difference Project tab if you don't know what I'm talking about. Basically, I'm not buying clothes, shoes or any thing like that for 9 months, in order to give more away.) It's crazy to think that once I get back from Ethiopia I'll only have 2 months left. This project has become a part of my mindset. What began as a challenge has now been transformed into a full-fleged war against materialism.

Through this project I have seen my heart's desire for more. Materialism is a tricky beast. Once you obtain something, it feeds a desire for more. Luxury is leech that sucks up compassion. Surly, God does give us material blessings. Indeed we are blessed here in America, but our money is dangerous. It comes between us and God so easily.

Now you might think that you are ok. You are a good person and you really don't have a lot. I thought the same thing. But then I chose to do without just one luxury for 9 months. It revealed to me that I placed more importance on money, on having things than I thought. I asked God to reveal my heart and He did. I give so very little. He gave so very much. I saw that God offered to do more through me, if I'd just be willing to let go of things.

"Do you think a materialistic world can be won by a materialistic church (or person)?" - David Platt

I want to reach this world, this culture. How can I do that if how I live my life is no different from theirs? If I truly look at my lifestyle, what makes me different than my neighbor? If everyone saw my bank records would you see how much I spend on myself, or how much I gave? The Word says that wherever your money is, your heart is there as well. That's scary.

I think 2 Timothy 6:6-8 sums things up well: "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."

Am I really willing to be content with only the necessities?

The Difference Project is nearing the close, but I cannot go back to my selfish living before. I can honestly say that I never felt closer to the Lord after buying a new dress. Instead, a little pride would creep in. I'd feel good for a moment, but my souls became deadened for while. As I put more unnecessary items on the check out counter, another child dies of starvation, another woman sells her body to put food on the table and another man walks home from a day of hard labor for an unfair wage.

Thus, my fight against materialism continues. I don't know what "being content with necessities will look like for me. However, I do know I want my life to look more like this:

The Difference Project: 2nd & 3rd Month

It has officially been 1 day without any coffee at all.

Honestly, I never thought I'd be able to say "I don't drink coffee". I have loved it since middle school. Despite being extra tired from lack of sleep, I woke up this morning with no desire for coffee whatsoever. No headache. No desire for it at all. (This never happens! Normally I head straight to the kitchen to make a pot.) In my last update, I really felt like I should give up coffee. I don't need to be so dependent on it, especially when I go to Ethiopia this fall. God is proving to me time and time again that He will give me the strength to do what He has called me to do. As silly as it may seem, quiting coffee has helped grow my faith in God...and so has the rest of this project thus far.

These past two months were a whole lot harder than expected. I had to go to Target to get a few wedding presents and had to force myself not to take a peek at all the cute summer clothes. I've had several strong urges to buy some new things, especially before going to weddings. I've also found myself making a mental list of all the things I "need" for my trip to Ethiopia. Yet, time and time again God breaks me, breaks my heart and I remember why He led me to do this. Through this project, my heart's sinful, selfish, and egocentric ways have come to light. At times I pity myself, feel proud of this project and others I am humbled before my Lord in tears, appalled by what is in my heart. Oh, if it were not for grace!

Today I read Psalm 57 in a different perspective. I challenge you to read this from the point of view of a young girl in sex-slavery, forced to be with 30-40 men a day. She cannot escape. Imagine reading this as an 8 year old boy forced to fight and kill in a war that is not his own. He must murder innocent people, or die. Feel the pain of a poor mother who has just had her first child. She is so malnourished that every day is one step closer to death by starvation. But her child, her precious child....is there any hope?

Now read it. How can I now go out and spend money on frivolous things? How can you?

Psalm 57

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.
²I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
³He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples me.

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 

⁴My soul is in the midst of liona; I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

 whose tongues are sharp swords.

⁵Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
 ⁶They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves.
⁷My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!
⁸Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
⁹I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
 I will sing praises to you among the nations.
¹⁰For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
¹¹Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

I'm not saying all this to make you feel bad for drinking coffee or buying things you don't need. I certainly have lots of things that I don't need still. I am just hoping to be a part of a generation that lives for more than American dream, a generation that lives for Christ above all else. My desire is to be the difference to the needy in the name of Jesus and in order to further the gospel.

The Difference Project: 1st Month

Friday will mark one month since I started The Difference Project. I'm excited about updating you all.

Spending: 

I have been surprised to find I haven't been that tempted to buy clothes, shoes and jewelry. Of course, I delete the emails I get from ModCloth, Anthro and Ruche. I also stay away from the mall and the clothes section of Target! (Target is my weakness! Their clothes are so cute and inexpensive!) I have felt several urges for shopping, but I have forced myself to stay away.

Giving:

I would love to tell you all that I have given huge amounts of money to those in need. Just to be honest, it's been tight this month. Having to buy new tires, getting a new passport and a doctor's appointment have wiped out any extra I had and some of my savings. I think I gave a little more than my tithe when I first started this project...other than that, there hasn't been anything else. I hope to report of more next month

However, it has been good to have a different mindset about spending and giving. My husband and I have started to evaluate other areas of our lives to see where we have excess. The grocery budget has taken several cuts this month. For instance, we invested in a Britta Filter and stopped buying Lipton's Green Tea. (My hubs loves the stuff.) I am also (atempting) to wean myself off of coffee, which is not going so well at the moment. I have gone from drinking a very large cup to a small cup in the mornings. It has taken me two weeks to get there! Surely that is still progress right?

We don't want to be legalistic about this, but it is our desire to keep ourselves in check. I know it is easy for me to get wrapped up in the "its all about Jen" mindset. It's just plain hard to live for others, for Christ in this culture. We are so bombarded with fashion, trends, and pushed to get newer, bigger, and better things. It takes a lot of effort not to get sucked into that world. The Lord is continually bringing things to light that need to be eradicated from my life through this project. It's very humbling to say the least. I see how selfish I am, now more than ever!

I am so thankful for all the support for this project and those who are joining in with me! I'd love to hear any updates from you guys as well!



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The Difference Project

For the next 9 months, I am committing not to buy any new clothes.

No new shoes.

No cute new jewelry.

No more adorable vintage inspired fashions.

Nada. Nil. None. Zilch. Zero. Nix. Nothing...until December 22, maybe even after that.

To be perfectly honest, I felt like I should do this last summer after reading Radical by David Platt. But I didn't. Instead I said to myself, "I just won't buy anything I don't need." Well, that ambition was done in after I laid eyes on the wonderful fall fashions at Target. This time, I have to obey. I cannot keep spending money on "cute" things I don't really need when there are so many ways that my money can make a difference for those who truly need. No more justifying my spending because "I find stuff on sale" or "I don't buy very much at all." No more!

I'm calling it the difference project. One person can make a difference. Giving up buying new clothes may make the difference between life and death for a poor starving child. It could be the difference between disease and health. And I want to be that difference.

For my last purchase, I decided to get a pair of TOMS. Fitting, no? I needed a good pair of "missionary" shoes for a mission trip (hopefully!) this Fall.

Of course when I went in the store to buy them, I was bombarded with so many new (and adorable) Spring clothes. This is going to be hard people!

Yeah, it hasn't really sunk in yet!

I debated on whether or not to even post this. I know that the Bible says that you should give in secret, not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing. However I have decided to do so for two reasons:

First, to keep myself accountable. Obviously, I tried this before and failed miserably! This way I can share my struggles, temptations and stories of how God is using this to make a difference for His kingdom.

Second, to encourage YOU to do join in. Can you imagine if 10 people gave up buying clothes, eating out, or something of the like in order to really make a difference in this world? That would be a lot of money! Together we can be a force for good in this world. We cannot ignore the call to care for those who have needs. It's all throughout the Bible. Just look for it and take it seriously. I can't wait to see how God is going to use this project!

I would LOVE to know if you are joining in on this project. I am adding a new page where you can link up and share what you are doing to make a difference.

Jesus, please take this very meager offering and use it for YOUR GLORY! You are worthy of so much more than merely this.