Fasting - Why?

Well, tonight I get ready to start a fast. As we have been talking about being naturally super natural in our lives - I am trying to get motivated in seeing this fast the same way. I will tell you that I do believe that the Holy Spirit has invited me to take this fast - I have been praying to get closer to Jesus so I felt the Spirit's call to walk this out for a few days.

As everyone knows that I am great model of perfect health but I am taking this fast as a time to detox my body and to clean my body of all junk that I have put into it. Hopefully,afterwards, I will eat a little better.

So I see this to be a natural and super natural adventure. I plan on posting more frequently as a form of accountability. So We will see what happens.

I was reading an article on spiritual disciplines by Anne Wilcox. She wrote, "Either the disciplines didn't work or I had it all wrong. Maybe prayer, fasting, study, and meditation were different from other disciplines. As a child I had disciplined myself to practice the piano. The end result was the ability to enjoy a musical instrument. As a young adult, I had disciplined myself to study; and the end result was a college degree. But Somehow, it wasn't working to approach the spiritual disciplines with a "results" mentality."

What is the end result of seeking Him? Does the effort we are investing in our lives equal our 'expected results'? I hear people having great spiritual expectations but rarely want to invest or to sacrifice - to put up or shut up - They want this end result without putting the time to cultivate such a life.

Maybe disciplines are not steps to achieve Herculean faith - to be some kind of spiritual super hero? Rather I have found that practicing the disciplines such as fasting, prayer, and bible study cultivate a life or environment were by grace my faithfulness gains an Audience. Maybe instead of giving me strength - or I arise as some kind of super empowered Christian - I arise truly as myself and yet reminded that I do not journey forward alone. For He is with me.

Wilcox continue: "Seeing clearly and understanding completely is not the carrot at the end of a spiritually disciplined life. Seeing clearly - face to face - will come only when it is time for such seeing! Until then the spiritual disciplines allow partial translucence. Through prayer there is the reality of hearing and being heard - without sound. Though study and meditation comes greater assurance of things to come - without sight. Through fasting, the realities of a world beyond material are sharpened - without touch. The light, though filtered, finds it way to us through the spiritual disciplines. They are gracious gifts meant to temporarily assuage the frustration of not yet seeing face-to-face and are born out of a longing to see past the darkened glass and be with Christ."

We have to crawl before walking, walking before running, running before the marathon..... Thank God life is not a 50 yard sprint but a life long journey of getting up and trying again. But we are never alone for He is with us.
Blessings to you all ----

LET'S GO CAPS - PLAYOFF TIME