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Recently in my time with God, He has been putting something huge on my heart. I think it’s huge anyway. I’m not writing this to be pharisaical. I have had this feeling that I soon need to begin a time of fasting. It’s not been just a one time thing, but many different messages over several days.
The fasting that I’m feeling that I’m needing to do is a fast from food. I have never attempted a fast. In fact, you can look at me and tell that I have not missed enough meals to know what the definition of hunger is. I’m not doing this to experience hunger. I’m wanting to do it to fill a hunger.
It occurred to me last week as I was struggling with sleep. I wasn’t struggling because of pain, I just wasn’t tired. Then, I made this statement to a friend online:
“I think all this sleep trouble is because I’m just hungry and thirsty, spiritually. Ya know?” -Me
That statement has stuck and been brought up to others over the last few days. There is something to that. I’m finding myself reading and trying to consume more and more of the Word. More and more talks. More and more conversations. Surrounding myself (physically and virtually) with those seeking the same. Yet, I’m still hungry.
I’m just now in the planning phase. The “blueprint” discussion with the contractor. Not even sure if he wants me to build this yet or not, so I don’t have any dates. I’ve received some links to a couple of books online to read through to prepare as well.
But, this post isn’t about the fast. Nope. Seems like it though I guess.
Lunchtime today. I sat at my desk just opening the Sonic bag, pulling out the order of tater tots, pulling out the SuperSonic cheeseburger and setting them on my desk. I had a diet coke if that makes it look any better. I opened the bag that the burger was in and got ready to take that first bite. I looked over the burger, trying to find that greasy spot to sink my teeth into. Then I got it.
I received my first Spam message related to fasting. It came out of nowhere. Actually, I think it did. I know who sent it. Who else but the one that sure don’t want me to be getting any closer to God. What was the message? Well, it formulated into the following tweet after I opened it:
“I really enjoy food. Wonder how that’s going to work out when/if We decide to fast?” – Me Again
The heart of the message was, “Scott. You’re not going to be able to fast. Just look at how good that cheeseburger looks. You might as well not even think about it anymore.”
Well, luckily I passed that through my filter and my various anti-Spam tweets came back with the following help:
“ I believe Jesus talked about a fast as getting near to God. If not eating has you focus more on food, you defeat the purpose, no?” – @banklynn
“ That’s why they call it sacrifice. I will not offer anything to God that costs me nothing” -@karenbyrne
“Someone wise recently wrote about not wishing for that which is attainable. No doubts. Take those thoughts captive.” – @karenbyrne
He got caught. I know who he is. I know how to fight him. I don’t have to be alone in more ways than one. But I’m sure that won’t be the last of the Spiritual Spam.
Because of HIM
SC
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4 Comments
OMG…Spiritual Spam! Great post. I don’t really understand the fasting thing. I know many people that fast and believe it brings them closer to God. I am one for prayer. And I don’t like being hungry…lol.
Caroline’s last blog post..It’s time to go away for awhile…
@Caroline Thanks, Caroline. I sent you a DM about this. I’ve got a link to a sermon that explains what I am longing for when and if I do fast. A friend told me about it and I listened to it about 3 times yesterday. Really good speaker and really good information.
I did a partial fast for a week not too long ago. I skipped breakfast and lunch meals and only ate a small dinner. It’s not that I said to myself that I wasn’t going to eat food at all…. I just restricted it to dinnertime ONLY.
Anytime that It was “Grub” time, I didn’t think about the food at all, I just immediately made the choice “no”. I replaced that time that I would be eating, with reading and studying the Bible. Listening and watching Praise and Worship Music and Videos also helped me to focus on HIM during this time.
Honestly, I felt soooooooo much closer to God. There was no hunger at all, because I felt like I was getting full on God’s Word. My prayer life even felt more powerful. The more I denied food, the more spiritually stronger I felt. I actually resisted it all with ease, because God was sustaining me. His WORD was nourishment to my soul.
”Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
I don’t know why or how others fast. But for me, It was a personal decision and I did what I felt led to do. It helped to clear my mind and helped me to re-focus entirely on him. It was a wonderful experience that I plan on doing again sometime this year.
)
@Pamela – Thank you for sharing your experience. Sounds like THE reason that I’m feeling the need to do it as well. Just waiting for the right time. Thank you.