As Crystal mentioned in a previous post, our Kagigi schedule
has changed to include a book-study / discussion group once a month. Last
Friday we introduced our first book – “7: A mutiny against excess” by JenHatmaker. Here’s what she has to say about our American Dream:
“How can we be socially responsible if unaware that we reside in the top percentage of wealth in the world?...Excess has impaired perspective in America: we are the richest people on earth, praying to get richer. We’re tangled in unmanageable debt while feeding the machine, because we feel entitled to more…The day I am unaware of my privileges and unmoved by my greed is the day something has to change."
Thus she embarked on a seven month journey through seven
areas of excess common to most Americans: Clothes, Possessions, Media, Waste,
Spending, Food, and Stress. For one month each, she significantly restrained,
stopped, fasted, or altered her habits in each of these areas, journaling as
she did. Enter in her raw, hilarious and deeply convicting book, “7.”
“Seven months, seven areas, reduced to seven simple choices. I embarked on a journey of less. It was time; time to purge the junk and pare down to what was necessary, what was noble. For me, 7 was an exercise in simplicity with one goal: to create space for God’s kingdom to break through.”
But like any good sanguine, she certainly didn’t go at it
alone. “The Council,” as she called it, was a group of her friends who agreed
to do this with her. “The seven of us conferred on all things 7. They were
advisors, cheerleaders, decision-makers, counselors, collaborators, and
brainstormers.”
If this creates a resounding “Amen” response in your heart,
then won’t you consider joining our Kagigi Girl Council as we take up the
challenge to conduct fasts of our own sorts in these seven areas over the next
seven months? You don’t have to buy a thing. (In fact, quite the contrary. Stop
it.) You don’t even have to attend our 4th Friday of the month discussion
meetings. (But we’d love to have you – they’re from 11-1:30 at Erin’s house.)
All you have to do is indicate through commenting below that you are In and
commit to reading and commenting on the blogs I will submit each month with
instructions on our next fast and reflections on our previous one. Oh, and one
other little thing – you need to agree NOT to make decisions about “exceptions”
on your own – we will ALL be holding one another accountable and The Kagigi
Girl Council will approve any and all deviations from your stated regimen for
each month. We will also encourage one another and cheer each other on.
Before we take off running, errrr, fasting – let’s
prayerfully consider Jen’s advise:
"It is supremely important to get your head right before a fast. Take as long as you need to work this out with Jesus. Fasting for the wrong reasons is just narcissistic. This doesn’t mean you need to have all your junk together – hardly! You can come a hot mess like we all are, but come for Jesus. Come for transformation. Come for worship. Come humble and honest, open ad listening."
Don’t feel this way yet? Pray for it. Ask God to prepare you and render your heart willing. Ask about those blind spots. Put it all out there. Jesus can handle every bit of your honesty.
OK? If you decide to join us (even if you have already told me as much), please comment below so we can form our list of Kagigi Girl Council Members.
Keep a look out later this week for the introduction to our
March fast – Clothes. ;-)
