During the two weeks that we spent talking about fasting I felt as though I ended up in the same place as I began. I came into my time of study believing that fasting wasn’t something that we are required to do, but that if we do fast we will have find ourselves closer to God’s heart. This was my thesis that I worked from, and after spending three weeks studying fasting I believe that this is still true. I suppose that this could be see as a good thing. I suppose that it’s encouraging to feel like I am in line with what God’s Word says about fasting. The thing is, I still feel a bit empty.
With the other topics that we’ve worked through, I have come to moments of clarity. God spoke and gave me direction and insight. But with fasting I felt as if I went through some sort of motion. I studied and prepared. I sought God’s desires and will for us. But in the end I’m left with what I started with. Does anyone else feel this way?
In my gut I know that fasting has a significance that I should not ignore, but I don’t think I know what that is. I feel like the logical conclusion is to not spend any more time thinking about fasting, but to actually fast. Maybe this is like all of the other disciplines that make much more sense when you actually do it. This can be hard for me sometime because my personality is such that I love to sit around and discuss things; I’m a verbal processor. Eventually, the talk needs to come to an end, and I need to act.
I feel the need to say this, too. These words and thought are not meant to draw attention to my thoughts about me fasting. Remember, during our discussion, when I said, “I’m not impressed if you fast, and I don’t think that God is either.” (how do I do the punctuation for this? it should end in a question mark, but the quote wasn’t a question. A little help here?) The point of fasting is obedience. If anything I’m hoping that these words are similar to your own, and are in some way encouraging because you’re not alone.
May the Lord walk before you to guide you,
behind you to protect you,
and beside you to comfort you.
Amen
