I didn’t really grow up in a setting where fasting was normal. Fasting, whether it was from food, technology or other comforts in life was not a normal thing. I would always give something up during the 40 days of Lent, but I did it more as a challenge to myself (giving up Doritos, candy and even meat one year).
This past Sunday, December 4, 2011 was a day of fasting for our World Race teams in Oradea, Romania. I was planning on fasting from food, but just getting over being sick, I decided that was not the best idea. Though no food was cooked during the day (due to those who were food fasting), I had to eat cereal all day (due to laziness of cooking for myself). And because I love cereal it was pretty exciting for me.
I did fast from technology which has definitely been a blessing this month. No ipod, no computer/internet and most importantly no Kindle! Without these distractions in my life for a day, what would be a better way to spend my time than with the King of the Universe! And that is exactly what I did.
Not knowing much about fasting or growing up with it does make it a little difficult to fast I guess you would say ‘correctly’. During my quiet time I was reading Ezra when I happened upon a verse on fasting. How ironic. Thanks God.
Ezra 8:21 “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God.”
So Ezra proclaimed a fast for all those returning to Jerusalem. It was a fast in order so that the people could humble themselves and make their requests known to God.
In 8:23 Ezra says, “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”
Well, I thought, that is pretty cool. I mean I know God answers prayers (even if it is not the way I would like it to be), but because Ezra fasted and petitioned to God it was almost as if it brought Him closer to God in order for God to answer the prayer.
In my study Bible, a note on Ezra 8:23 led me to:
Acts 14:23 which says, “Paul and Barnabas… with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.”
My Message version says their prayers were intensified by fasting. So first off, fasting is definitely not only for the Old Testament LORD but is current and useful in our relationship with God today. Even Jesus talked about fasting when the Bridegroom is no longer with us. And in reality, fasting is a way to get rid of distractions/comforts in our lives in order that God can be put back on top in the number one position. So it is not so much as what one is fasting from, but how you use it to build your relationship with God and turn to truly seek Him.
I love cereal. It is probably one of my favorite breakfast meals (besides pancakes), but as I learned on Sunday, cereal is not satisfying. I can eat cereal for every meal but there will still be this feeling of dissatisfaction. After lunch and dinner consisting of two bowls of cereal each, I was still kind of hungry and desiring more. I was not content. Cereal is good, and sometimes can provide vitamins and nutrients, but living on cereal won’t get you very far health wise. You need some bacon or eggs (or pancakes) in your diet in order to be physically sustained. As much as I love cereal, I realized that it simply will not cut it for me.
It’s the same for fasting. I can go on with my daily life, spending my daily allotment of time with God every morning, but until I change it up some and devote more time and energy to truly seeking the Lord, nothing is going to change. My walk with Him is going to be stagnant even when I am on this incredible journey called The World Race. Fasting is a way to live your life actively seeking the Lord. My prayers and devotion to God will only be intensified through fasting.
So now all I have to say is “Goodbye Cereal and Hello Pancakes!”
