What
is a fast? Why fast? Which fast to do? How long to fast? These are all
questions our ministry team has focused on in preparation for our upcoming
training and mission.
First, what is a fast?
A fast means to abstain from something such as a particular food, solid food, TV, music, etc.
Why
fast
The purpose of a fast is when you desire the food or area you are
not indulging in, to turn your focus to God by reading the Bible and
praying providing strength not from yourself, but God. This echoes the
words of Job 23:12: “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than
my necessary food.” This strengthens your faith.
What
kind of fast to do and for how long?
Our team has been on a 30 day
fast, which ends tomorrow. I have chosen the Daniel fast based on what
Daniel ate in the first chapter of Daniel in the Bible. Daniel challenged
King Nebuchadnezzar’s royal foods and ate vegetables and water for 10
days saying if in the 10 days he didn’t look better than the ones
eating the royal foods, then they could do with him as they saw fit.
Daniel stepped out in faith believing God had called him to eat such a
diet and would protect him. God did just that and Daniel’s skin looked
healthier than those eating the choice royal foods. Daniel 1:17 clearly
verifies that God rewards obedience by opening doors for young Daniel.
Daniel continued with his diet and worshiping God while growing in favor
with the Babylonians and God was glorified!
On the
Daniel Fast I have been eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
only. Basically eliminating meats, dairy, sweets, fried foods, sugar,
soda, etc. Eliminating cheese has been the hardest as it is a staple of
my diet. I wanted to stretch myself by giving up something I truly
enjoy-trust me everyone who knows me knows what a challenge giving up
cheese is for me. This also casued me to fully rely on the Lord for
strength to be obedient to this time of fasting.
So what
have I learned through this process? The Daniel fast has shown me
several things. One being that God always provides for us and also
reiterated that God does not want us to fail, but to succeed in
everything He has planned for us. He honors His word. In Jeremiah 29:11
He tell us, “For I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you, not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Also in 1 Corinthians
10:13, He tells us, “No temptation has seized you except what is common
to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what
you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out
so that you can stand up under it.”
During
the fast, we went out to a new Thai restaurant that serves whole grain
brown rice, only you have to give them a 4 hr notice since not many
people in my area request this. Not knowing this, we showed up for
dinner and thought I wouldn’t be able to have rice with my meal-just
the cooked vegetables. But God is so good and the table next to us had
ordered the whole grain rice and there was 1 order left-just for
me-praise the Lord. This showed me God truly desires and provides for
me in the smallest of circumstances in everyday life to honor Him.
Several
times during my time of fast there have been luncheons, cookouts, free
food, etc., and honestly I have been bummed not to be able to
participate. However, every time God has surprised me with providing
fruit or vegetables I didn’t expect to be there so I could participate.
I shouldn’t be surprised but I have been. It shows me just how much I
take God for granted and limit Him on the smallest of details. If God
provides for me in something as trivial as a meal I know He will
provide for me in the biggest of circumstances. God cares enough to
handle all of our concerns.
Actually,
the longer I go without the foods I am used to, the less I want them.
At first I wanted them all the time and thought about how long 30 days
was. I decided to just focus on it one day at a time and not think
about how much was left. Really in the grand scheme of things, 30 days
isn’t that long at all. So how does that relate to everyday life and
God? What I experienced was the more I indulge in my selfish desires,
the more I want them.
But the
longer I go without them the more I can grasp at how much of a want
they are versus a need. Also, I find that the indulgences don’t always
fulfill me in the way I had hoped for in the first place. The only
thing that can truly fulfill me is an active relationship with God. I
say active because a lot of times I find myself in a passive
relationship caught up in the busy nature of my schedule. It is not
God’s responsibility to speed up to our busy pace, but our
responsibility to be still, quiet, and listen to Him. When I am
actively seeking God I am actively hearing from Him. When I am passive
in my relationship I am either too busy or too loud to listen and
therefore miss a lot of what God has in store for me.
The last
thing God showed me was in being obedient and not giving in to the
delicious food available to me, I have been given many opportunities to
share with people why I am on the Daniel fast and about The World Race.
This confirms that when we are obedient God will open doors for us to
minister to those around us. We just have to see, be available, and
embrace each opportunity.
You can also check out my article at Wrecked for the Ordinary for more tips on the Daniel Fast, as well as Seth Barnes’ blog on the Daniel Fast.
Also, check out the World Race, an 11-month trip around the world, to see the reason why we did the Daniel fast.
