GIVE UP WHAT?????

 Fasting---NOT just a topic for past generations.  We can be called to fast today.  I have been exploring this concept of fasting.   I have fasted in the past, but it was not an open-ended agreement to give up something.  My fasting would be not eating from dinner (supper-for all us Southerners) until supper the next evening.  The idea behind fasting has been to allow us to meditate and concentrate on God during those times of not eating.  Those hunger pains were supposed to remind us of the purpose behind what we were doing.  OH--there is much more to it, but you get the gist.

In two days, I have had two occasions when the concept of fasting was brought up.  Food is not that important to me.  Most of you were raised to associate food with comfort and enjoyment.  My family ate to live--we did not live to eat.  It is long and complicated--I wish I enjoyed food as much as most do.  I have learned to be a decent cook, and really enjoy cooking, but the ingesting of that food leaves something to be desired in me.  I am headed somewhere---hang on.

I had a good friend talk about fasting from her morning Dr. Pepper recently.  She talked about how much she enjoyed that morning drink and how she decided to give it up to show God she desired to grow closer to Him--to know Him in a deeper way.  So she eliminated one of the favorite parts of her morning routine to remind her of her search for a deeper relationship with God and as a sacrifice to show God how deep her desire was to draw even closer to Him.

Today as I was doing my daily BS, the author talked about fasting while writing this study.  They fasted all day while writing to keep their thoughts only on what  was being written.  They cleared their mind from all thoughts of anything but the subject of the study.  At the end of the day, when all the writing for the day was done--THEN they broke their fast and ate.

SO--I am thinking about what is really important to me.  What could I abstain from to show God my deep desire to be closer to Him---to know Him at a deeper level.  Here is the other thing I am certain of---I do not need to boast of this fast.  I need to limit my proclamation to God and God alone.  After all---that is why I will fast. 

SO--what is really important to you?  What would be a real sacrifice to show God your intent to know Him at a deeper level?  After being nudged twice in a very short period, I feel as if God is asking me that very question.  I am searching for the answer---

"So we fasted and implored God for this,

and He listened to our entreaty."

Ezra 8:23

"Turn to me now, while there is time.

Give me your hearts.

Come with fasting, weeping and mourning.

Don't tear your clothing in your grief,

but tear your hearts instead.

Return to the Lord your God."

Joel 2:12-13