Three Things

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." (Romans 7:21-25 NIV)

Well, this is the last night of the fast. I get up very early tomorrow, if I manage to sleep, and lead the Sunrise Service. I enjoy the service. Easter is my favorite holiday. So I get to enjoy it all the more by getting into the day of celebration early.

I have thought about what I have learned through this Daniel Fast during Lent and the best I can tell you is that I have become painfully aware of how much my cravings control me. I know that Life is found in Jesus Christ, but I keeping running emotionally to the comforts I enjoy instead of coming to Him in prayer.

I have discovered that I have a willing mind, a wishy washy spirit and a body that is weak. Like Paul this fast has uncovered the sinful powers at work in me. Wretched man that I am! Who will save me fome this body of death?

Thanks be to God for victory in Christ.

Paul then says, there is no condemnation for those who are under the realm of Christ. Sin no longer rules, but Christ rules. And the One who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to our weak bodies through the Spirit of Christ! I just have to remain faithful and keep open to the Spirit of Christ within me.

Easter is a day to celebrate that Jesus is alive. Christ is risen! And so all who are under His Lordship are new creations. We each are being transformed into His likeness. The more I focused on my failings and my weak fleshly attitudes, the more I despaired of any transformation. But the more I rejoiced in Christ, the more I was lighter, happier and able to enjoy the fast. My mantra was, "don't focus on what you cannot have, but on what God is offering." God is offering life everlasting through faith in Christ.

The other thing I learned was the power of community. Each week we got together to share how we were doing with the fast. One person not taking the fast gave me a book to encourage me. Often during lent the community shared thoughts that lifted my spirits and kept me engaged in the fast. We shared recipes and shopping ideas on where to get quality foods for the Daniel fast. We shared victories, difficulties and our laughter and tears. There were others who checked my blogging through the seven weeks. I suspect this group of 15 people touchEd 200 people or more as we set ourselves aside for God.

Some would say such a fast was not realistic. To deny oneself meat, dairy, coffee, bread with yeast or leavening and sweets is too extreme. I found out that eating this way was easier than I suspected. I got bored with it about the fifth week or so. I had one day where I was really struggling. I waited on the Lord to renew my strength. I blogged about it. And I found that others were struggling too, which helped me in some way to know I was not alone. I hade three persons email me offering words of encouragement and prayer.

That night I joined a group of youth studying the doctrine of the Christian faith. They were talking about the belief that Jesus rose from the dead. There were two in the group who were not yet convinced that Christianity was the truth. They struggled with it. For belief in Jesus as the risen savior of the world meant acknowledging that other faiths are not the full truth.
As I watched teen after teen witness to their faith, I felt hope. The joy of seeing a new generation of Christians sharing their faith with those seeking the truth revived me. The power of the community of Christ renewed my soul.

I finally found that the power of God was at work. Certainly He is working in each of us in ways we are not conscious, but I got a glimpse. Within the first two weeks of the fast I became aware that God was working powerfully in the lives of others around me. God was answering prayers in mighty ways. I witnessed a breakthrough in a marriage, a job opening for someone out of work, a deepened friendship with one who was simply an acquaintance, and financial funding come through for someone's dreams. God is moved to action when we set ourselves apart for Him. It's not just something in the bible people did a long time ago. Fasting can open our lives to God's power in fresh ways.

It's not that we manipulate God through fasting. I think rather that fasting awakens us to see what God is doing and becaue we are awakened, God does even more. He is moved by our heart to be His. And He delights to bless us, His children when we come to Him through prayer and fasting.

Tomorrow I break the fast with eggs and bacon. I may get sick to my stomach. I may gain back some weight. But one thing that will not change is my awareness of God's love and patience with us, the greatness of the community of believers and the power of God for those who are seeking His kingdom and righteousness.

The fast is over, but new life is ever moving forward. Christ is alive. The time for fasting is over. The time for feasting has come! Glory be to God.

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Keep me ever growing and ever awakening to Your goodness, glory and love. Keep me feasting on Your presence. Amen