REPOST: Originally posted on 5/7/2015
On April 21, 2015 the Central Territory Women’s Ministries Department launched a Ten Day Photo Challenge on Instagram and Facebook called: #everydayoffering. Participants were asked to post photos from their everyday, un-staged life – their commute, grocery shopping, ministry involvement, lunch time activity, playdate or kitchen sink. The idea was to unite together making a commitment to give every part of their everyday life back to God as an offering, living in His plan for them right where they are. The scripture that inspired this challenge came from Romans 12:1-2 from the Message translation. “Take your everyday ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life and place it before God as an offering.” In a ten day span 382 photos were shared using this hashtag.
The response to #everydayoffering was exciting and unexpected and we definitely felt like there was something in the air with this concept. Photos we share through social media display the highlight moments of our lives: best wedding,  best vacation, best #ootd (outfit of the day), prettiest kitchen, happiest family.   This celebration sharing can unintentionally encourage competitive living or  create jealously, pain and bitterness. #Everydayoffering was a sigh of relief, we believe. An equalizer that said it was ‘ok’ to show the day-to-day unpretty of life, a chance to recognize that each part of our day is an offering to God therefore a beautiful and holy experience no matter how ordinary.
Now we want to invite you to participate in the next step in the journey of #everydayoffering. We want to collaborate with our followers and create a devotional series together. We invite you to unpack the stories behind your #everydayoffering photos, in 350 words or less, with accompanying scripture. Our dream is to produce this series into printed devotional booklet, with an artistically charming design to represent the beauty God gifts us within our everyday ordinary lives. If we have enough submissions we may be able to pursue that dream. If not, we’d still love to share your devotional on our website, publishing on our blog with you as the guest blogger for that day.
Please email: [email protected] by June 5, 2015 with your 350 word or less devotional message with accompanying scripture. Not all submissions are guaranteed to be chosen, but all chosen will be credited for their contribution. All women are welcome to submit regardless if they participated in the #everydayoffering photo challenge.