In my first semester of College, I took a class called “Essentials of Spiritual Formation”. In this class, we practiced several different spiritual disciplines like prayer, journaling, service, and memorizing scripture. It was an easy course that I was encouraged not to worry too much about.
When I sat down in class that first week, I saw an assignment within the syllabus titled “Fasting”. I knew very little about fasting. I didn’t grow up in the church so most of these disciplines were fairly new to me. When I glanced over the description of the assignment it read: “As a class, we will enter into a 48-hour fast from Tuesday at 11:00 AM - Thursday at 11:00 AM.” I don’t think I heard another word that entire class period.
I don’t mean to seem dramatic, but if you have met me in person, you would understand that this would be a challenge. My whole life I have been small. My parents would likely tell you that I am the same height and weight I was when I entered the 8th grade. Doctors, friends, and other family members have always joked with me by saying that I need to “put some meat on those bones”. I always laughed it off because I knew I was healthy and for some reason, I just had a faster metabolism than most people (plus both my parents were short which didn’t help).
At the bottom of the assignment read the words: “If you are unable to fast due to health reasons, please speak with me about this and I will adjust your challenge.” I immediately felt relief. How perfect! I don’t have to worry about it! I approached my professor after class and explained to her that I don’t weigh a lot so I don’t think I should participate in this assignment. She graciously gave me an alternative assignment and I thought that was the end of my worry.
That Tuesday while the entire class walked in talking about starting the fast, I quickly felt left out. The professor encouraged the class before they began the fast and I realized that this was a part of my life I wasn’t surrendering to the Lord. I didn’t think he could provide for me in this way. As I was leaving the class, I felt the Lord nudging me to just say yes.
As I walked out of the building, I passed the dining hall and decided I wouldn’t go in there because of the temptation to eat. Instead, I walked to the creek on campus and sat for three hours. I listened as the birds chirped. I watched as the trees swayed in the wind. I breathed in the smells of the fresh air and I felt peace.
The rest of that day was difficult. I felt a little hungry here and there. I would take a sip of water wishing it was sweet tea. I would walk past the cafeteria wishing I could eat. I made an intentional effort every time I felt hungry, to pause what I was doing and pray. One verse I remember repeating at that time was Matthew 6:26 which reads, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Praying scripture allowed me to change my worry and hunger into praise and worship.
The next morning was the hardest part of the entire experience. Immediately after waking up, I felt weak. I am not exaggerating when I say that I fell face-down on the floor. I didn’t think I could move, let alone make it to our chapel service starting in thirty minutes. I stumbled into the bathroom, put on my contacts, and I think I brushed my hair (I am not really sure what happened that morning).
My roommate helped me walk up the stairs to the chapel where I was able to sit. The room was full of people, my mind was racing, I could feel my heart beat in my toes, and worry filled my thoughts as I realized, the service still hadn’t started yet. I had no idea how I was going to make it another two hours without eating.
The worship team came out on stage and service began. All of my friends stood up and as I attempted to lift myself, I realized there was no way I was going to be able to stand because my body was exhausted. Halfway through the first song as I was sitting and singing, I felt the nudge to try to stand again. As I started to stand on my feet, I began to lift my hands. I felt this strength, this power, this joy as I was lifting my hands to Him. I knew at this moment, the Lord was giving me strength to finish this fast. As you can imagine, this brought many tears to my eyes. I realized that if I hadn’t trusted God enough to say yes, I wouldn’t have had the first-hand experience of knowing that God would provide.
While most of the time when we think of fasting, we think of abstaining from food, there are other things in our lives we can also fast from. There have been seasons where I have fasted from shopping, social media, or spending money. Gary Rohrmayer a Christian author who focuses on leadership says, “Fasting is more about replacing than it is about abstaining – replacing normal activities with times of prayer and feeding on the word of God”. My challenge to you today is this: for one week, choose one thing to fast from. Maybe it’s food, maybe it’s social media, or maybe it’s television. Whatever it is, instead of spending that time participating in that activity, take that time to read, pray, worship, walk, or memorize scripture.
Do you remember that verse I mentioned earlier from Matthew? As you practice the discipline of fasting, remember that verse. Fasting can be a scary thing if you have never tried it before. However, it can be such an amazing way for you to experience the power and the providence of the Lord.