Article by: Sarah Koontz
Women around the world are craving God’s Word and we are intent on creating free resources and tools to satisfy your spiritual appetite.
Most of our readers would agree that we could all benefit from carving out a bit more time and space for Jesus Christ in our hearts and lives.
But how? I mean, really! How do we do it?
The Living by Design Creative Team has been pondering this question for well over a year, and we believe we’ve finally come up with a solution.
A real, practical, tangible solution.
It’s going to require a bit of sacrifice, planning, and diligence to implement.
But if you are willing to commit to the process, we truly believe our free resource, the WORD30 Challenge Kit, is going to change your life forever.
Psalm 107:9 assures us of God’s ability to meet all our needs when it says, “For He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.”
Where do we find this satisfaction and sustenance?
In God’s Word.
Yet, I’ll be the first to admit it is difficult to quiet the noise long enough to steep my heart in the beauty of the Bible on a regular basis.
There are so many things vying for my attention and focus.
My never-ending to-do list.
Meal planning and grocery shopping. UGH!
My latest Netflix obsession.
The magnetic draw of social media.
While none of these things are inherently bad, they do tend to distract me from my ultimate purpose here on earth…
This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ.” -John 17:3
What if, for just 30 days, we could clear some of the clutter to make more room for Jesus (and Bible Study) in our daily lives?
What if, for just 30 days, we could clear some of the clutter to make more room for Jesus (and Bible Study) in our daily lives?Are you interested? Intrigued? Terrified?
Good! So are we.
Let’s Make Room for Jesus Together!
That’s the beautiful part about living in community. We can all be interested, intrigued, and terrified together.
We can draw strength from and encourage one another as we embark on new adventures and embrace new challenges.
Before we get to all the juicy details about this exciting 30-day challenge, I’ve got a simple test for you to take.
It takes less than six minutes to complete, and it will help you decide whether or not you are ready to join us for the WORD30 Challenge.
Because the first step in a new direction is always the most difficult step to take.
And, as busy women, we need to be 100% sure it’s the right step for us before we take it.
Can I get an amen?
I promise this will be the easiest test you’ve ever taken.
All you have to do is press play on the video below and listen to this beautiful song by Jonathan McReynolds entitled, “Make Room.”
If you find yourself shaking your head “yes, yes, yes, ” fighting the temptation to raise your “praise hands” in the air, or a tear escapes from the corner of your eye…then you’ll know that you are ready to take this challenge with us.
It’s as simple as that!
Ok, you listen to the song now.
I’ll wait…
I find space for what I treasure.
I make time for what I want.
I choose my priorities and Jesus You’re my #1.So I will make room for you.
I will prepare for two.
So you don’t feel that you can’t live here.
Please live in me.Whatever it is that is in your way.
Whatever it is, if it takes your space.
Whatever it is. I don’t want it there.I will make room.
I will seek you first.
Kick the other things out of the way.
I cannot express the depth of emotion I felt when I first heard this song.
I had just edited our first draft of the WORD30 Challenge Kit and read all the testimonials submitted by our team (who actually did the challenge last summer).
And this song sums IT. ALL. UP.
Amazing, transformative, wonderful things happen in our lives when we make room for Jesus.
Amazing, transformative, wonderful things happen in our lives when we make room for Jesus.But it requires sacrifice.
Sort of like cleaning out a closet stuffed full of clothes.
It feels so good when we are done, but the process of deciding what to keep and what to toss is exhausting!
Make Room for Jesus by Participating in our Online Community
It’s 1,000 times easier to clear the clutter out of our lives when we have a little help from someone who understands the undeniable benefit of doing hard things.
Someone to believe in us and cheer for us.
Someone to help us when we feel week.
Someone to carry us when we stumble.
How would things change in our lives if we had 1,000 someones believing in us, helping us, and cheering us on?
Can you even imagine?
A whole community of people with the same mission, the same focus, the same passion for clearing the clutter and making room for Jesus.
That, sweet friend, is what the WORD30 Challenge is all about.
Yes, we’ve put together a challenge guide, a resource kit, and a structured plan to increase your chance of success.
But the most valuable thing we have to offer you is this community.
Sisters in Christ.
Cheering each other on.
Doing the hard things.
Making room for Jesus.
Together!
Let’s get started.
We've put together a challenge guide, a resource kit, and a structured plan to increase your chances of success with the WORD30 Challenge.
What is the WORD30 Challenge?
It is a 30-day “spiritual cleanse” where participants are inspired and equipped to exchange 2-3 worldly habits for 2-3 WORD-ly habits. Our free 20-page challenge kit is packed with resources to help you decide what you’ll give up what you’ll replace it with.
Here are a few examples:
- Replace Netflix at night with listening to Christian podcasts or sermons.
- Replace listening to the radio on your commute with Scripture memorization and prayer.
- Replace consumption with creation and hospitality.
- Replace watching sports on weekends with spending time in nature.
- Replace mindless scrolling on social media with reading God’s Word.
For some participants, success might mean achieving a 30/30 score on the challenge. For others, you may set your goal at 5-days a week, while giving yourself a bit more room and latitude on the weekend. Whichever measure of success you choose, be specific and make sure it is measurable and achievable in your current season of life.
A few final thoughts…
This 30-day challenge forces us to step out with bold faith—believing that even small steps toward Jesus are well worth the effort.
This is not a legalistic challenge, or a “spiritual makeover”, or your typical New Year’s resolution.
It is a challenge that requires us to put our hope and faith in Christ as we seek the grace and strength necessary to follow Him
For this reason, our team has purposed to weave grace into every aspect of our challenge kit and community building efforts.
Everyone’s plan will vary because we are all in different stages of life.
Women around the world are craving God's Word and we are intent on creating free resources and tools to satisfy your spiritual appetite. #WORD30But our united purpose of clearing the clutter and making room for Jesus will bring synergy and joy to this process.
I can’t wait to hear your personal testimony of the profound impact this 30-day spiritual cleanse will have on your life.
We are praying for you and cheering you on! To God be the glory.
This article was originally published on January 8, 2019.
