Sep 5, 2017

God Changed My Plans


Fall's almost upon us.  Amidst the rain, the air is growing slightly cooler.  School's starting, and life is beginning to run.  Faster and faster and faster.  Like a bike, each pedal only makes the wheels fly that much quicker.  And seems to never stop.

I began to get distracted in the beginning of August.  Why?  Because I started writing faithfully again.  I went through my WIP, Emblem of Hope, and edited/rewrote half of it throughout the month.  It was special to experience the joy of storytelling, feel the emotion of my characters as I stepped into their lives, and cry with them when their lives turned upside down.  But it also distracted me.

Project Love continued.  But it wasn't real in my own life.  I tried...but distractions won.

As August ended, I had a decision to make.  A really hard one.




My Plan


I had decided exactly what my fall would look like.

I would spend September finishing the other half of my novel.  This was an exciting adventure because it's from the perspective of my other main character.  She's dear to me.  I wanted to love on her again by writing her life story.

I would also set aside my blog for a month, posting lightly - maybe every other week.  This would keep me from being too consumed.  I could write, do school and other activities, and then pick up the blog again in October.

This also included setting Project Love aside.  In October I would be free to devote myself completely to it...so what was one month?  And God was giving me such grand ideas for Project Love.  This would be bigger.  Life changing maybe.  All I needed was September, a month to rest, catch up, and do what I wanted to do.

But God had different plans.  (doesn't He always?)


God's Plan


During the last week of August, I felt a strange pull inside.  I pushed it away.  Then I shoved it away and tried to trample it down.  It was just a thought - an idea.

What if I devoted myself now to God instead of waiting another month?

Revolutionary, I know.

The problem was this: on my blog, I say that love is important.  I even say that it's the most important area of life.  The two greatest commands in the Bible focus on love.  It can literally transform our lives.

But I didn't believe that in my heart.

So the battle raged.  My writing and plans vs. spending a month focusing on loving God more.

Thankfully, God won, stubborn though I am.  It took a few days of fighting, but it's over.  September is His.

Ever since I made that decision, I haven't regretted it.  It's hard to put aside Emblem of Hope.  But this is so much more important.  And you know what?  My novel will be waiting.  One day it may be time to write on it again.  And how much sweeter it will be.

He's been faithful.  Soon after making the decision, I read an encouraging blog post by Ivy Rose that seemed so relevant.  And then, while chatting with a sweet friend, she asked if she could join me in this challenge.  The ranks are growing, and I'm so excited to see where God bring me (us!) during this month!




But What Now?


I have no clue what the next few weeks will bring.  I am going to strive to learn what it means to love God with all.  All my heart, all my soul, all my strength, all my mind...the list goes on and on.  I want to show my love for Him in every single area of life.  That's my goal for September and beyond.

Project Love won't be gone now that summer is fading.  It's changing, yes.  But I'm hoping that as we restart this challenge in a new way it will touch our lives.  Instead of posting any random post and calling it a blog series, I want this to transform the way we live.

I know you probably follow a dozen other blogs.  There are hundreds of messages, lessons, and words floating around you each day.  I don't expect you to drop everything and join me.  But I pray that as I do this in His strength, someone will be encouraged to do the same.  Drop everything unnecessary and love God in a new way.

Isn't that what being a Christian is after all?  Loving God with all?

If that's you, in two weeks I'll be posting a more practical viewpoint of how this works.  Right now I don't know what it will look like.  All I know is that we need to love Christ with everything.  And I would be thrilled if anyone wanted to join and do this as sisters united through Christ.

So until then I encourage you to pray.  Seek Him.  And grow in Love.

Life's busy, I know.  I'll be attending a college class on creative writing, college algebra, an online witnessing class, normal electives (Spanish, ASL, and/or piano), writing here, and then practicing for a play that I didn't audition for (another plot twist from God...) =).  That along with regular life.

But we need to keep out eyes on the prize.

Press on.  Fight on.  Love on.

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39


13 comments:

  1. Okay, I'm hoping that my comment will post... :)
    I'm so glad that you are continuing this, Hosanna! I've been missing the regular posts on Project Love (I know there was one on the 22nd, but that seems so long ago ;). I'm grateful for your example of serving God even when you want to do other things. :)
    I'm excited to see the next post for Project Love! :)

    In Christ,
    Leona Ruth

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    1. ((yay, my comment posted! I've finally figured it out!! :))

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    2. Yayyyy! Your comment posted! =)

      Wow...yes, it does feel like it's been a while since the last Project Love post. Life has been crazy. How have you been able to put love into practice, Leona? For me, I'm striving to see everything as Christ does, doing it for His glory. Sadly, I often fall short.

      Praise God that He offers second chances! (and third, fourth, fifth...) He's so amazing. It's odd how easy we lose sight of His beauty, when He's all that really matters.

      I'm glad you could comment! =) And your name is so pretty - Leona Ruth. I like it. =)

      Keep living for Jesus, my friend!

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  2. Keep on loving Christ, Hosanna! Thank you for sharing. :)

    https://tizziestidbits.wordpress.com

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    1. You too, Tizzie! *hugs* Thanks for the encouragement. =)

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  3. Continuing shining His light :)... sometimes our plans aren't God's plans. It's good to acknowledge that.
    Thanks for posting! Can't wait to read more of project love

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    1. Don't you wish sometimes that we always got our way, Sarah? xD Haha. But it's true. When I see people living for themselves, they are never truly happy. Submission can be hard - but it's a beautiful thing.

      Your comments make me smile. =) Love you, sweet Sarah.

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  4. Wow, wow. I'm so blessed by your open honesty, and willingness to follow God even when it's not what you'd thought it would be. And this post convicted me in a personal way too. Thank you. God should never have to wait.

    "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

    P.s What online evangelism course are you taking, if you don't mind me asking?

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    1. Hey Jess. =) I'm going to skip down to your comment. (feel very honored) =) Actually, I wanted to answer your question before time slipped by too quickly.

      I'm taking the evangelism course through Empowered Academy. It's a free online school that encourages teachers and students to use their gifts for God. I taught a class through it in the spring semester, actually. Here's a link:
      http://empowered.academy/classes/fall-2017-classes/evangelism-101/
      Registration is still open, just to let you know. ;) The class starts on Wednesday. They also let teenagers teach online, which was a great experience for me. So...maybe you'd enjoy looking around the website. It's not professional, but it is centered to glorify Christ.

      Now, back to your comment. =)

      I'm so glad that the post touched you in a personal way! Although I made the decision to follow God's will in this area (or at least what I believe to be His will), it hasn't been going as well as I would like. This month somehow got crazy busy. I'm involved in activities every day with not much time to simply relax in His presence. So it's been hard. I need God's help (and to ask my sisters to keep me accountable). But this isn't just a monthly challenge; it's the practice of living in and for Him.

      Thank you for the encouragement, especially in that beautiful verse. I appreciate you so much, Jessica. *hugs*

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    2. Hey! :) Thanks for letting me know about the course! It looks really interesting. Unfortunately the live sessions end up being in the middle of the night for me, and I saw it was a requirement to attend them. :( I had a look around the website, and it looks like an incredible resource! I like the idea of students teaching and learning from each other (as well as from adults too). I hope the evangelism course is a blessing to you, and I'm eager to hear how you find it, and what experiences you have!

      Mmm, I hear you on that one. It's annoying how busyness creeps in and distracts! Keep being determined to live for Him - and that's so good you've already thought out some strategies. It always encourages me somehow too, to remember we're fighting a spiritual battle, and these things are the enemy's way of trying to get us to give in. But we know Who's already won the victory!

      I appreciate you too. :) Sending hugs back, and praying you find His strength to love on!

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    3. Oops...I forgot about your different time zone. =) Haha...that might not work out then. Not the best time, I suppose. =) But yes, I'm excited to start it soon! Hopefully it will be a good way to force myself to reach out in Jesus' Name when I normally wouldn't. Several siblings are doing it with me, so it will be fun to challenge each other. =)

      Yes, distractions are certainly from the enemy. Strange how he uses even good things to make us lose sight us. I'm so thankful that I don't have to fight in my own strength. Jesus is so much stronger. And all my fellow warriors in Christ are blessings...watching each other's back in the battle. =)

      Enjoy your sleep. =) I appreciate your prayers so much, dear friend. ♥

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  5. THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE COOLEST POST EVER. I lovelovelove how surrendered you are, sweet girl!! I know God is going to use that in amazing ways. <3 This is such a cool story, and it is totally awesome to see how God is working in your life. And I completely understand, it's hard to surrender--but it is ALWAYS worth it. Every single time.
    And of course I will join you in this challenge--I look forward to your next post! LET'S LIVE OUT LOVE TOGETHER. ^_^
    -Ariel

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    1. You're too sweet, Ariel. =) Thank you for the encouragement! I'm SO excited to continue in this challenge with you!! I really want our lives to look like Love, be transformed from the inside out. How beautiful it would be if God's people truly lived in His love... ♥

      How has Project Love been going for you? And how's your precious baby brother? I'm praying for you today, Ariel.

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