Fasting and Feasting is NOT an oxymoron!

I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks since I began our corporate fast.  A couple of the aspects of this fast to not watch TV, and to finish writing my book.  So, I have spent most of my time praying and writing to complete my book by January the 28th.  But I had to put my immediate thoughts to paper before there are gone forever(kind of like that sock lost in the dryer!).

Though I have fasted before, I have never done the full food fast for 21 days.  Now despite the private aspects of fasting, I feel God has prompted me to share this with you.  Fasting consists of setting aside time you would normally eat a meal and replace it with prayer or some other pursuit of God.  What I have found though, is that after 8 days, I have been FEASTING during this fast! It reminiscent of a full belly, after my wife's chicken and dumplings, only now its full in my soul, and not my belly.  I feel that God is pouring HIS newness into my very spirit.

I am also feasting on HIS glory in everything I see.   Everywhere I turn, I see God. I see HIS providential hand at work in ways I haven't noticed before.  Interestingly, it has taken me slowing down to see these things.  In fact, much of my day-to-day activity deals with food!  I had no idea how much time I spent "preparing to eat".   Let me explain.  Most people probably take an hour or so for lunch break and about the same for dinner.  Breakfast is a different story.  In our busy lifestyle, most of us usually do the whole "breakfast on the run" or just grab a large cup of Java to kick-start our day.  But God showed me how much time I spend talking about food, or going to this restaurant, or meeting for lunch, or complaining with the "I am starving...what's for dinner" comment (to which I tell my kids, "you are NOT going to starve!).

Here's my point.  As a pastor, a husband, a father and the many other hats I wear in a given day, God has told me to "redeem the time" or "to make the most of the right now" all for HIS glory!  In the last week or so, since I have not built my day around what or when I eat, I am feasting on the glory of God.

 It hit me this morning before church, just how relentless God was when He pursued me.  I was minding my own business and was totally oblivious to HIS love for me.  Why does HE love me so much?  Why does HE love you so much?  The short answer is we are the most important thing on this planet to God!  We have the fingerprint of God on our heart.  We have a copy of HIS precious Word which hold the answers to all of life's questions.  We are already situated in heavenly places. We are joint heirs with Christ, and though He does not need us to tell HIS story, He uses us!

HIS glory is seen at every turn.  Can you see it?  Fasting or bringing your flesh into subjection to the spirit, means that you can feast on the often overlooked glory of God!  He is worthy!  Please don't miss it!

Feasting on HIM!
Marc