“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21
This month I decided to totally depend on God for everything I receive and give up spending any money. In turn this means giving up horseback riding in the mountains of Lesotho, traveling to the highest pub in Africa, buying sweets and treats from a local bakery… and the list goes on.
Why?
Growth comes from doing uncomfortable things.
I didn’t come on the race to have fun memories— those are perks— but I came to serve God and love people.
Already God has been providing in amazing ways.
The first day of this month the entire squad was buying coffee and snacks at the airport. As I stood by myself waiting for everyone to come back one of my friends, Stephie, brought me a granola bar and a water! My first blessing of the month. Since then other teammates have bought me snacks, homemade cookies, and more. I even received a hat from Jo because I didn’t have one!
The worst news of the month…
OUR WATER JUST RAN OUT.
You heard me right. No drinking water, no showering water, no laundry water… NO DISH WATER! Nothing….
So I get to see how God will provide that for me soon!
But God is still faithful in provision and I am believing he will multiply the water. I will let you know when he does!
{update: the water came on the next morning! The tank filled up so we still have to take bucket showers, but God multiplied the water like we asked!!}
No phone isn’t as hard as you would think. Comparison is the thief of joy, and social media is all about comparison. If you find yourself feeling worse after you get off social media, or trying to impress others with your posts, I encourage you to give it up for a month! It’s super freeing to not have to worry about what I am missing out on back home or about wanting others to see the amazing things I am doing here.
NO COFFEE…
If you know me, you know this is the hardest one for me. I am not drinking any other drink but water this month which means no caffeine for Madison Goforth…
I am proud to say I have more energy this month than I have all Race! I wake up at 5 or 6am, boil a hot cup of water, sit outside and look over the mountains and have two hours of time with Jesus before I get started in the day. I actually end up having like 6 cups of hot water because I do miss the act of drinking coffee!
God is always faithful when we step out and do something hard for the Kingdom!
“Therefore, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” -Luke 9:23
I am not saying God is telling you to give up your phone, coffee and all money. However, I am telling you to ask God what you need to deny yourself of. What is keeping you from knowing God intimately?
Whatever you give up, fill that time with Jesus! When everyone goes to the store, I read my Bible. When everyone is posting on social media, I worship the Lord. When everyone makes tea at night… I drink hot water!
“There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.” —Proverbs 20:15
Our treasure isn’t the things of this world. Our true treasure is waiting for us in heaven. The only thing we can take from this earth after death is our relationship with God and what we have done for the Kingdom of God.
So give something up this month, or even this year, and fill your time with Jesus!
