The discipline of fasting couldn't have come at a better time for me.

In the past, I've usually had a specific reason, or else the nagging feeling that I need to get things straight between God and I, for which focused prayer and fasting were needed. I usually just fast for a day, abstaining from all food but drinking water. Prayer and the Bible take precedence. The day is marked by a renewed sense of peace in God, purpose is sharpened, and self is taken off its throne.  However rich the benefits of fasting, I could probably count on one hand how many times I've done this.
However, since we were required to fast this week, I looked for a reason. It shouldn't have surprised me that there are oh so many reasons, even in a seemingly normal week. Even though this week's activities might not have normally prompted me to fast, I was much better prepared to meet the week.
I decided to try something new this week. From Saturday until tomorrow, I have committed to the Daniel fast -only fruits and vegetables (I did make some minor adjustments). To my surprise, this has worked very well. Instead of focusing on the hunger that comes with missing meals, which invariably occurs when I abstain from food, I was forced to discipline myself, but not to the point of distraction. This way I have been able to maintain a worshipful experience for a longer period of time. I was happy to find that I didn't find it too difficult to practice discipline in this area.
I will confess, food is an area I do not regularly practice much discipline in. I often eat without thinking, or use it to smother ideas and thoughts that I'd rather not deal with. It's an easy preoccupation. Even though I don't wish to go to the other extreme of evaluating everything I eat, I know that I need to not let food dominate my life as much as I do. It becomes a habit, a bad one.
After reading in our book, Celebration of Discipline, about fasting regularly, or maintaining an absolute fast for a whole month, I've been convicted to do this more often. I've never entertained the possibility of fasting weekly, but perhaps making this part of my practice would force me to center myself weekly other than on Sundays. Bringing every area of my life under subjection not just to my own will, but under God's will, could only be a healthy practice.

This week, several things came together in my life spiritually. Perspective on life, forgiveness long withheld, killing sin, listening prayer, and recalling events in order to write my spiritual autobiography all brought me into the presence of God. Fasting added another element into the mix. My mind is clearer, and focuses more readily on worship. I have had some beautiful moments with my Lord this week. You know the kind? When you can almost feel God sitting in the room with you? When your active mind stops trying to answer its own questions, is still, and just for a moment, you realize that the words that flashed into your head were not your own? A wide moment looking up into the sky, and the peace that surpasses understanding breaks in upon your heart?

Thank You dear Father.

No, fasting is not fun. But it brings us into the presence of our Lord, of the One we desire most. It rips the idolatry of Self from our hearts, centering us again on God, the fulfillment of all of our desires, the Giver of Life. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to draw closer to Him?