As we’ve been working through our new message series on spiritual disciplines I’ve been feeling challenged by God to do more in my walk with Him. There have been times in our relationship that I have found myself slipping into a level of comfortable complacency and then I wonder why I start to struggle with negative feelings like depression, or frustration. That’s not where I want to be. I want to be serving Him well and feeling His closeness in my life. I’ll remember back to when I first accepted Christ as my Saviour and that amazing feeling of renewal, of hope that I felt, and I long to feel that again.
I wonder since COVID hit how many of us have landed in that place of a distant relationship with God. We’re no longer able to go to church on Sundays and our circle of friends has shrunk to a COVID friendly bubble. Without that regular influence of like-minded people and weekly challenges it can be easy to push aside our time with God and become wrapped up in what the world is doing.
The timing of this new series on Disciplines couldn’t be better. Each of the messages from the series has challenged me differently but Fasting is one that is sticking with me a little more than the others (much to my dismay). I mean, who really wants to give up food for a day or even longer? It’s hard! But yet, I feel God is really calling me to do this. And in my experience, when God is asking me to do something, it’s never easy but it’s always worth it.
I have actually fasted before but I can’t say that my heart was always completely in it. I kept myself really busy so I wouldn’t have to think about how hungry I was or be tempted to eat. In fact, my approach was more like I was ticking off a box on a spiritual to-do list, rather than being obedient and open to what God wanted to teach me. What I needed to do was remove myself from distractions and spend time talking and listening to God, praying through my discomfort and the temptations, and allowing myself to be filled with Him. As Craig put it in his message, fasting is emptying yourself physically so you can be filled spiritually. Doesn’t that sound incredible?
As much as I’m tempted to ignore that call to fast, I also really want to see and feel what a day of true fasting and prayer will do in my life. So, I’m putting it out there now – I’m going to do it! I’m not sure when. I want to pick a day that I can get away from everyone and everything and really focus my heart and my mind on God. But I’m giving you permission as my family in Christ to hold me accountable and make sure I do it. And I invite you to consider joining me as well in this journey. I’d love to hear your stories of fasting whether from previous experiences or upcoming. Let’s join together and fast and pray and watch what God does!
Send me your stories at admin@southridgefellowship.com
Kelly