Life goes super fast, we all know this. We have many commitments to adhere to, as well as demands. The day in and day out can get overwhelming. Now that the holiday season is over you are either hit with extreme boredom , motivation, or an overwhelming sense of starting a race. Or maybe you are threatened with all these things at once. We are also bombarded with wellness, dieting, and other calls for lifestyle changes. The new year can make me feel like I am in danger of slipping into that Alice and Wonderland hole. The one where she falls down, grabbing at things, trying to make sense of where she is going.

Then came church on Sunday. Brian left for Florida that morning, and my extended family was home with the flu. However, I decided to bring Siena and I to church, even though she threw 3 tantrums that morning. As always, I am glad I did. I was struck by the sermon and actually had a minute for reflection due to Siena in Sunday School class.

I always want to know “what’s next.” In my life and in my career. My brain is always working, trying to figure out “what to next.” I know that I should be trusting God and referring to him. I post about it all the time. However, it struck me. I really need to stop and commit to figuring it out. I have been feeling myself day it with emptiness behind it. I knew needed to do something different. My Pastor was talking about the power of fasting with prayer and Isaiah 58. Fasting is scary for me, because I am ALWAYS hungry haha! And I also get “hangry” which is just bad for everyone. However, I was encouraged to commit to starting small. One meal/snack, not a whole day. Also, make sure I am using the fast to pray for others not just myself. In reading Isaiah 58 my Pastor pointed out how the people were saying, God we are fasting see, don’t you notice us? God’s point was you fast but you still do whatever you want. You can’t just bow your head for a minute and then go forth about your regular sinful business. Everyone is talking about dieting and intermittent fasting. What about fast that will do more than maybe help me lessen the belly bloat, but one that will strengthen my soul as well as health.

<note this is my paraphrase above and how I interpreted the sermon, please read for yourself>

3 Why have we fasted,' they say, `and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD

To truly fast and pray is to open yourself to Gods call. Make sure to be seeing the needs of others as Jesus did. Spend your time seeking to help others, praying for them, and giving your time to people that need you. God will redeem your time, strengthen you when you are weak and weary. The verses below are so encouraging, and my motivation to challenge myself to this fast.

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness [1] will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

How I am going to do it:

I am going to fast at lunch. Breakfast would be easier, but I know I am too busy with Siena to set aside time for prayer. I do not trust myself not to eat dinner or go binge late night. Therefore, lunch wins. I know she is usually napping I will have time for prayer.

I am also going to make sure I drink more water, which I should be doing anyway. Then allow for a snack at 3pm. Am I giving too many guidelines? Perhaps. But I am going to go one step at a time. Something is better than nothing. I am asking God to get me through whatever artificial “hunger” I have and help me focus. I have SO MANY people I can focus on praying for beside myself. So I am actually excited for that. Right off the bat I know I have to teach myself to not be selfish. The fast may not reveal what I want it too. It is going to reveal what God wants it too. I hope I can rise to the occasion and not block the blessing. Maybe all that I will feel happens is I gain a better drinking water habit. That is okay with me. Because I doubt that will be all.

So my last thought is, who is with me? One week, one meal or snack a day. Replace it with prayer and see what God does in your life.