1 Corinthians 6:12 states, “…All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by them.” God has created many ‘good things’ for our enjoyment but they can enslave us, taking God’s rightful position in our hearts and life (See other blog).
As I work my way through India, I noticed myself putting a lot of time and energy dwelling on food. I was talking with a local friend and I asked them what their favorite Indian food was. Their response, “I do not have a favorite food. I think people put way to much focus and importance on it. I just try to survive.”
Later that day, God challenged me by asking me a simple question, “Jason, do you put too much focus on food? Is it getting in the way of your pursuit of Me?” My answer to both questions was undeniably, “Yes”. I realized that my attitude was pour when I was hungry or when we missed a meal.
I am currently reading, “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster. In it, Foster says, “…fasting reveals the things that control us. We cover up what is inside us with food and other good things, but in fasting these things surface.” I was curious what imperfections I was hiding with ‘food and other good things’. As I discussed these things with God, He asked me to give up lunch for a few days. I excitedly agreed, realizing that through this process I would get closer with Him.
As I reflected on and discussed this little experiment with God, it became apparent that I use food as a way of control. When I get irritated or impatient with people, my first reaction is to find comfort in food. Without food I found myself getting frustrated and short with people. This isn’t how I want to treat people. I want to treat people with love, kindness, and patients.
I ended up learning so much about myself through this partial fast that I decided to give up other things. It has been an enlightening experience, and with every imperfection uncovered, God has been faithful to show me how I can improve that area.
I used to dread when I received spiritual correction but now I find myself excited for it because I know that if I take it seriously and work hard at it, I will grow closer to God. The motivation for me to pursue spiritual correction is that by doing so I am pursuing God. With each day on this journey I find myself getting closer to God and growing into the man He is inviting me to become.
What are you hiding with ‘food or good things’? If you seek to get closer with God and build some discipline, or if you just want to become a better person and work on some of the imperfections in your life, fasting, whether food or good things, can help flush them out.
