Food!

I meet once a month with a small group of pastors. We meet in Kinston because it’s the centrally-located city in between Jacksonville, New Bern, Clayton and Greenville. We meet for fellowship, prayer and, of course, food.

At our September meeting, we discussed our concern for our denomination, and we decided to do something about it. One of my friends said, “Hey, on the Fridays that we don’t meet, let’s fast and pray about our concern and petition God to intervene!” That sounded like such a great idea, and we all agreed to do it.

Then came the next Friday…

I was out shopping for groceries (my regular Friday routine), and it was around noon when I got back to my car. I got in, ripped open a snack and was ready to dig in when I remembered we were supposed to be fasting. “Why did I agree to do that?” I thought as I put the snack back in the bag. It turned out to be a terrible Friday. I was so hungry by supper, I hardly knew what to do.

Every Friday has been the same. There was the Friday that Carol’s birthday was being celebrated at the office. I can still hear, “Branson, wouldn’t you like some food?” (breakfast casserole, salad, cake…the whole counter was full of ambrosia-like treats)

“Yes, but I can’t. I’m fasting.” (I’m sure I had a spiritual look on my face and heavenly tone of voice.)

Then, there was the week that we went to the State Fair. There are hardly any tempting things to eat there! I also remember being invited to meet an old friend for lunch one Friday. I remember one week when I was at my desk in our basement working on bills and balancing my checkbook. All I wanted was a smoothie. Just one chocolate blueberry smoothie with banana and peanut butter!

OK. I’m weak and I know it. AND I fast a lot, but I’m still weak. I’m so ashamed that my body has such a grip on me, but it does. Fasting proves it. Fasting shows me I have lots of spiritual work to do.

Fasting also reveals some other things that need work in me:

• I get grumpy when I don’t get what I want
• I don’t want to pray if it inconveniences me
• I’m not invincible and able to operate in my own power

I do believe, though, that the benefits of fasting are many, and they outweigh the hardships. I’ve found that fasting makes my mind and spirit sharper and more attentive to the Spirit’s leading. I’ve found I hear from God more clearly when my body is being held captive by my will and not my stomach. I find I am intentional about listening while fasting. I have also benefitted from the forced time of prayer resulting from every hunger pang.

Ever tried fasting? Maybe as a part of our Intentional for 10 emphasis, you could try a fast. You don’t have to start with a 40-day fast like Moses or Jesus. Start with one meal. Drink some liquids if you need to. Just be intentional about it. This discipline will teach you lots about yourself and energize you in your walk with Jesus.

Maybe you could start by joining me and my friends by fasting on Fridays between breakfast and supper!