Our church recently asked us to fast for a week. We were to fast from some food item (sugar, coffee...whatever you really like and really depend on) and from non-work related media (television, radio, facebook etc.) The pastor up front was really pushing this congregational fasting. It was part of a church week of seeking the Lord. They really wanted everyone (upwards of 10,000 people) to take part in this exercise. He ended the explanation by saying, "You really will get out of it what you put into it."
That's when he lost me.
I'll get out of it what I put into it? I see what he's saying. The more time you spend seeking God in a week...going to the services they had each night, spending time praying when you're longing for the item you're fasting from...the closer you will feel to Him.
But...
I have fasted plenty of times and gotten nothing out of it. I have ended the fasting period with nothing more than a longing for the food I've been missing or the television.
I sat there and thought...I don't know if that's true. Sometimes we just do something because God has asked us to...and that's all there is to it.
So Craig and I both decided to do the fast from media. It was hard. Instead of putting the kids to bed and watching our favorite t.v. shows, we talked...listened to music together. It was great for one night, but by the end we were taking turns tempting each other to break our fast...sinners! I can honestly say...I didn't feel like I got much out of it. And I sort of made myself feel bad..."Well, maybe if I had gone to one of the services, or if Craig and I had prayed together instead of just being bored together...maybe I would have gotten more out of it." That's probably true...at least a little.
We went to church the next Sunday and another pastor got up to preach. First thing he said was awesome!
"Many of you have just come off a week of fasting. And one day when you're sitting before the Lord He will say to you. 'Remember that time you fasted? Here's what I did while you were fasting.' And then He'll show you the amazing and powerful ways that God moved while you were simply obeying Him...fasting and praying."
It was so encouraging. I don't think I was supposed to get anything out of it. It wasn't about me...necessarily.
See, there is a whole spirit realm that is more real than the computer screen in front of you. More real than any matter or energy, any person or circumstance. The spiritual realm is the most real reality.
And I believe that amazing miraculous things go on in that realm when we simply obey. This obedience doesn't just have to be in prayer and fasting. Anything He's called us to do and we do it? That's obedience. Most of life is made up of moments of simple obedience...getting up and going to work to provide for our family, making yet another meal (didn't I just feed you people?), cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, being kind, resisting temptation...this is all obedience. And many times we don't get much out of it in the moment. It's just plain work.
The most powerful obedience is prayer...ok...and fasting. But prayer is the most powerful thing we do all day. But it can feel so simple, mundane...dare I say boring...at times, we don't feel or see anything come of it. We even feel diminished or blown off a bit when someone says, "Wow...I'll pray for you about that."
But the reality is....
Mountains are moved, prisoners set free, sickness is healed, lives are changed. I believe fervently that when we obey...we set in motion the power that raised Jesus from the dead. No telling what amazing and spectacular things are going on...that we can't see.
Occasionally, He lets us in on the miracles. I have found this whenever I have diligently prayed scripture over someone...anyone.
I prayed a passage for six months over my sister-in-law and without telling the whole long story...there were changes in her and her relationship with the Lord that I wouldn't have dreamed of.
I have been praying specific verses for my kids...and I am seeing glimpses of what the Lord is mightily doing in them.
I have many times prayed different things for Craig...many of which, I've seen Him answer.
But even if I don't see the answer, I absolutely believe...God. Is. Moving. while I pray.
I think He moves when I homeschool my kids out of obedience, when I am kind to my wicked neighbor, and when I hold my tongue. We don't always see it...we mostly don't get much out of it...but oh how He moves when we obey. And that gives me motivation and encouragement to obey even when it's not fun or when I don't see or don't get anything out of it.
Sometimes we just need to obey. It's what we tell our kids, right? They don't get much out of it...and they certainly don't see the need for it...but they really just need to do it.
So do we.
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