What Are We Doing?
What are we doing? Seems like a simple enough question but it depends on what the topic is.
Right now, our church is going through a 30-day devotional that includes fasting. I’m not sure how many of you have spent time fasting, reading and praying but it can be challenging and yet so rewarding.
I remember when I was first introduced to fasting. I was in Junior High and a group of us were going through a discipleship course. We were asked to fast for a day, and I thought I was going to die. 24 hours no food, only liquid and it had to do with something spiritual was all I understood. I didn’t have the relationship with God that I have now. I didn’t crave His presence more than I craved cheeseburgers. If you know me, you’ll understand my love for a good cheeseburger.
I share that funny story to say we all start somewhere. Clearly, I had some growing up to do emotionally and spiritually. The bottom line is, “we start somewhere.” If you have never experienced fasting, I encourage you to try it. Since my Jr. High experience I have learned that fasting can be amazing. When you lay aside something for God and seek Him in lieu of eating or another activity it can change everything.
We have some amazing biblical examples of when fasting changed everything. Esther called for the Jews to fast and it literally saved a nation. (See the book of Esther)
Daniel fasted for 21 days and finally heard an answer from the Lord. (Daniel Chapter 10) In his case the angels were contending while he was praying. Can you imagine angels contending while we pray? It still happens today.
In recent years my family and I did a fast with a group of people from a church we attended in California. During this time, we were seeking the Lord for many different things. During the fast we all met at the church to participate in a cleaning day. We were doing a Daniel Fast which meant no meat and no sweets. We all brought a vegetarian dish to share at the end of the cleaning session. I remember we put on some worship music and went to work. After hours of work I found myself on my hands and knees scrubbing a floor. Remarkably I was singing and enjoying the moment. There was so much peace and precious intimacy with God that I could barely keep it together. I can still see the floor, the dirt, feel my aching knees and yet His presence was the most real it had ever been. I felt known, heard and above all loved. My circumstance hadn’t changed and the things I was asking for was not immediately answered but something changed in me.
If you’re asking what we are doing and is this worth it, I can assure you that it is. Corporately we are seeking God together. We are taking a period of time to set aside some things to honor God with our time and attentions. What is so amazing is that He wants to answer, and He is longing to spend more time with us.
Take an opportunity to go deeper with Him. Start today.
Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (NIV)
Jodi Sharp