fast
Well, this blog post isn’t about “fast” in the sense of doing something quickly. It’s that other one that scares me a little bit. It’s the one that means me giving up something that will help me spiritually, help me focus on what God is saying, keep my ears open and help me with all the other life stuff, too. I did this the first 3 weeks of 2009 and God totally transformed my life and gave me direction and am going to try it for the first three weeks in 2010. There is something about fasting when you do it because YOU want to and not just because everyone else is. YOU have to want to. Now, I’m not saying there is a formula to hearing from God and that you have to fast to hear from God. But what I am saying is that God has laid this on my heart and to start off each year with a fast. I believe that God honors sacrifice. There is something about first fruits that Jesus loved. He talks about doing it with everything: money, time, harvest, sacrifice. It was always the first and best for Him. He also says in Matthew 6:16-18:
16″When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
–Notice it’s “When you fast…“, not “If you fast“. So yeah, I feel it’s a good thing to do. God will direct you in all this.
So now you ask, “What does this exactly mean for you, Adam?” Well, I’m doing the daniel fast with the exception of I’m still eating grilled chicken and grilled fish. Last year I didn’t eat any meat at all and almost jumped out a window. Oh, and I’m off of twitter and facebook for three weeks. Yep, you heard me. I feel this is the right thing to do. I do have to blog a couple of times a week because of prior obligations, but I won’t be replying to comments much and my time online will decrease significantly. This is the opening my ears to God part. If my computer is in front of me the whole time, I can’t do that very well. But, I will have tons of time to read. So, what are some books you can recommend?
Pingback: fasting experiences | (re)made