Thoughts on Fasting...
We're over half-way through our 10-day fast, preparing for the big "First Love Conference" with Bishop Joseph Garlington, Dr. Mark Chironna, the Binion's and more, and I thought I'd share my thoughts on the first 5 days:
1. Fasting is hard. Doing without food makes me weak, sluggish, and mentally dull. I understand why it's a Biblical way to die to self. Not fun!
2. Fasting is worthwhile. Since we're still in the fast, I'm saying that with complete confidence in the Scriptures. My own experience is that rarely do I experience breakthrough or significant spiritual insights, etc. during the fast. Instead, at least in my past experience, all of that comes after the fast is over, sometimes when I least expect it!
3. Eating something is easier than eating nothing. (Let me first say that I know what Jesus said about fasting being a 'private' exercise, and I'm only reporting this because we're doing a 'corporate' fast at CLC that has been publicly advertised. I do not think my fasting makes me a better Christian or more 'spiritual' than anyone else. I DO believe my fasting makes me a better Christian) Now, with that disclaimer out of the way: my own plan this time involved a 3-day fast on each end of the 10-day period, with a 4-day "Daniel Fast" in the middle. So the past couple of days I've been eating veggies in soup and salad - and a vegetable lunch at Cracker Barrel almost qualifies as a feast after doing without anything for a while! :-)
4. Fasting makes you feel your hunger! I think most days, we snack so much and eat so well that we seldom feel real hunger. More importantly, I believe this time of consecration is helping me to feel the hunger for more - more of God's favor, Presence, Word, grace in my life!
I'm ready to preach Heroes installment #2 this weekend, but even more so, I'm ready for more during our First Love Conference!
1. Fasting is hard. Doing without food makes me weak, sluggish, and mentally dull. I understand why it's a Biblical way to die to self. Not fun!
2. Fasting is worthwhile. Since we're still in the fast, I'm saying that with complete confidence in the Scriptures. My own experience is that rarely do I experience breakthrough or significant spiritual insights, etc. during the fast. Instead, at least in my past experience, all of that comes after the fast is over, sometimes when I least expect it!
3. Eating something is easier than eating nothing. (Let me first say that I know what Jesus said about fasting being a 'private' exercise, and I'm only reporting this because we're doing a 'corporate' fast at CLC that has been publicly advertised. I do not think my fasting makes me a better Christian or more 'spiritual' than anyone else. I DO believe my fasting makes me a better Christian) Now, with that disclaimer out of the way: my own plan this time involved a 3-day fast on each end of the 10-day period, with a 4-day "Daniel Fast" in the middle. So the past couple of days I've been eating veggies in soup and salad - and a vegetable lunch at Cracker Barrel almost qualifies as a feast after doing without anything for a while! :-)
4. Fasting makes you feel your hunger! I think most days, we snack so much and eat so well that we seldom feel real hunger. More importantly, I believe this time of consecration is helping me to feel the hunger for more - more of God's favor, Presence, Word, grace in my life!
I'm ready to preach Heroes installment #2 this weekend, but even more so, I'm ready for more during our First Love Conference!
posted by Pastor Jerry McQuay at 3:56 PM
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