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I know this is a strange topic after Thanksgiving and going into the Christmas season but hang with me for a minute. In less than 30 days we are looking at a new year, 2024. Time is flying by faster than we can watch the second hand on a clock. And as I have aged, I notice the seasons are like a quick movie at the theater. Wasn’t it just Spring? Didn’t we just turn the calendar over to 2023? How is it going to be 2024 so soon?
So maybe it is time, no pun intended, to sit for a moment
and take stock of 2023 and see where God wants us in 2024.
Hence, one of my reasons to fast.
Everyone looks at fasting differently. Some fast for a meal. Some for a day. Some for a week or more. There are many examples in scripture of those
who fasted and how God granted supernatural revelation through that practice. Whichever way you choose to fast, research
scripture, pray, and let God’s Spirit lead you each step of the way. Take fasting seriously and with
reverence. It can be an extraordinary
time with Holy God. You don’t miss out
on the blessing.
I fasted for different reasons over the years. Often to get closer to my God and seek HIS
will in a situation. I recently walked
into fasting with a list of requests. I
knew it was time, and there were so many reasons I needed this moment with my
Lord. I asked a friend to pray as I stepped
into the moment. I took my list of
concerns to the Throne and closed the door behind me. I wanted answers. I wanted clarity. I wanted time alone.
I fasted each day until dinner.
The first day I didn’t know what to expect. I just came to my God and said here I am with
my list. After a bit I realized my list
wasn’t as important as HIS will. He listened
to me and my fancy list as any father would.
Then He just quietly guided me to HIS will.
That first day He gave me one simple task. Nothing earth shattering. Just one task. Not an overwhelming task. In fact, it was so menial that I can barely
remember it right now. All I remember is
that I said, “Ok Lord, that is easy I can do that.” And I did it. And I didn’t
stress about all the other things on my list.
I just went to bed that night knowing He had them in HIS hands.
Each day it became easier to hear HIS will.
Each day I would see an answer. Not to what I asked for, but what I needed.
Each day was a new blessing.
Each day was a new answer.
I came out of fasting different than I walked into it. I expected to have my list checked off and neatly
completed. Instead, I was changed, once
again, to HIS will. My focus was
realigned. My heart was tuned to HIS. My
list was now HIS. We were now on the
same page. What a concept?
Breaking the fast.
What surprised me the most was my feelings of sadness by the
thoughts of breaking my fast. I didn’t
expect those feelings. Honestly, I expected
more feelings of excitement to get back into my normal eating schedule but what
happened was the eating desires had dulled and were pushed back by my
overwhelming desire to spend more time with my Lord. The sad feeling was like getting ready to
leave an amazing vacation and getting ready to go back to work. There was work involved in fasting and praying,
don’t get me wrong, but there was a sweetness and closeness that spending time
with my heavenly Father couldn’t compare to any banquet.
What my heavenly Father left me with before I broke my fast
was – “I am always here” “You can come to me anytime just like this” “You don’t
need to fast to be this close to Me” “You just need to step away from the distractions.”
Distractions…
Another blog for another time… 😊
Merry Christmas!
Click here for some bible verses about fasting:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-fasting/#:~:text=Matthew%206%3A16%2D18&text=17%20But%20when%20you%20fast,in%20secret%2C%20will%20reward%20you.
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