Day 336

Daniel 8:15-9:19, 1 John 2:28-3:10, Proverbs 29:10-18

As I write these words I have just been brought a cup of tea with a plate of biscuits. I am very lucky for on the plate are 3 snack sized chocolate bars and two cookies. One of those is a stem ginger cookie and if you know me, you know I will run a marathon for a stem ginger cookie. And so, naturally, I started on the plate, leaving my favourites till last.

And then Daniel goes and talks about fasting and I am reminded that I was recently challenged that I should try it. And there to the side of me the stem ginger cookie continues to call my name. Fasting is hard yet it is necessary, and in all honesty I don’t think I have ever done it properly!

Yet fasting put’s God in his place. Having the staying power to go without food says that I am putting myself second and you first God. It focuses the mind because as we get hungry we remember why we are doing it and our eyes are diverted from food and self to God. It is a process that wages war on temptation and makes it very real and yet put’s temptation in its place too, with God again coming to the forefront of our minds. Unless your doctor has told you not too, fasting is something that every Christian should have a go at.

This year with the Bible is a good chance for the fast (even though we are near the end). For a fast gives us the opportunity to feast on the word of the Lord instead of our normal food. In a culture of overeating it is perhaps even more important as we seek His will and word in all things.

The cookie is still there, now I just need to fast properly – will you do the same?