For me bringing in the new year wasn’t what some would call exciting. I was sick. My evening consisted of me drawing closer and closer to a porcelain toilet. While in the midst of hydrating my moisture deprived body, I realized that this is exactly how I was suppose to bring in the New Year. (Not necessarily over a toilet), but cleaning my body out of the filth I allowed and enabled satan to put in over the past year.
I put on worship music and glorified God with the energy I had. We talked and I was able to bring in the new year with the one who knows me better then anyone else. As I cried over our talk a since of relief and forgiveness swelled over me. The Lord placed it on my heart to fast for the next two days over my support letters. Fasting is something I haven’t been great at, but it is because there has never been the full element of trust when I do it. I knew this was an important piece of my support raising that the Lord was asking me to do.
DAY 1
Things were going great. I woke in the morning feasting on the Lord’s word. He fed me and I was full. Luckily I had the day off of work and was able to take full advantage of giving myself spiritual nutrition, instead of solid food. Then around 4pm my roommate and I headed to the market. I was going to by some orange juice (pulp free) and then head back to our apartment. While at the market satan was going strong. Even though I wasn’t hungry I was putting food in my cart to take home with me that I intended to eat when I got back. The thought came into my head, “Well I am not mailing out support letters until the 2nd, so I will just fast tomorrow.”
What? That isn’t what the Lord wanted me to do. I made my purchases and we walked back across the street to our apartment. When Erinn and I return we start putting groceries away. Then I knew I had to tell her that I was fasting so I could be held accountable. I told of that I was fasting and asked her to keep me accountable until January 3. She agreed and a huge weight had been taken from me. I feasted more on God’s word and went to bed with a full tummy.
DAY 2
When I woke up the first thought in my head was, “I am not hungry, but I could definitely eat.” Satan wasn’t wasting any time today so neither could I. I grab a glass of O.J. and opened up my bible. After that I grabbed The Heavenly Man, which I am reading for the World Race, and was inspired greatly by Brother Yun who fasted without food or water for 74 days. (If you haven’t read the book you must. It is a great example of God’s faithfulness to us.) Then Erinn and I went to LA fitness to workout. The first hour of the workout was great, but during my 30 minutes of running I started to get a sharp pain in my chest. Quickly I slowed my speed down to a brisk walk and finished out my last 15 minutes. Realizing that I didn’t have any fuel in my body for it to burn off worried me and I thought that, “Maybe I should eat just a little something.” On the drive home the hunger became more evident. Since I had just worked out my body was crying for something to help it out.
Once arriving home my first stop was the fridge. I opened it and then shut it. Then I did this about 5 more times. Finally and resentfully, I poured myself some apple juice. I had placed my support letters in the mail before working out and now it was time to pray over them again. This helped. I felt better and then read some more about Brother Yun’s ministry in China.
Now I have 10 hours left in my fast. I am on my way to the airport to pick up a friend. As I type this Satan is reminding me with echoing gurgles that I have no food in my stomach. However, God is reminding me with his word that he will bless the faithful. My obedience will not be forsaken.
Praise be to the Almighty God who welcomes me to the banquet of his word.
