Fasting

At the beginning of the year, at the start of this journey, I knew I wanted to go deeper in my relationship with God, to become one of those people who are truly carried away – in love with God and walking in His presence. I wasn’t sure how that would happen and have been concerned that it may not really happen at all.

It’s been difficult enough just to define the goal of this journey, I mean, terms like “full on for God” or “on fire for God” are maybe helpful and worked when I was a teen but it’s hard to put it in words in a satisfying way. I’ve settled more for a vibe, a picture, or perhaps a mess of pictures. I guess the goal isn’t easy to define, like, to be able to do 100 push-ups. I want to be carried away.

But how? Well so far it’s been helpful to have this focus on my blog because it reminds to think about it and chew over it even when it doesn’t come up in may conversations. Of course, getting rhema from God’s Word and being led by the Spirit in prayer has been vital to the journey. I’ve also been thinking a lot about other people, heroes that have gone before us, who have been so devoted and passionate about God – their example and their writing is very encouraging. But right now, I’m excited about fasting!

I have been feeling led to fast and I am very encouraged that my church is fasting corporately over the next 21 days. Fasting is a big call, it’s an extreme measure. It’s a statement saying to God that He is much more important in my life than food and physical comfort. All the heroes of the Bible engaged in fasting and God achieved great things in their lives and ministries. I’ve been very encouraged as I’m reading a book on fasting by Jentezen Franklin, which discusses teaching and examples of fasting in a simple way.

I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do in this season of fasting. I’d like to be different. I believe that this time is going to cement some good things into place and overcome some things that I can do without. When I reflect on the big recurrent themes over almost 20 years of being a Christian I think of prayer and trusting God. I have regularly felt that I should pray more, and I hope to practice God’s presence in such a way that this becomes more part of my nature. And I have often been challenged in almost every season to trust in God more, I believe this season will also take me deeper in that way.

What could God do in you in a time of fasting?