Guest blogger: Joe Barone - Embracing the fast
On a Sunday morning in late December 2024, Pastor Eric introduced the 21 days of fasting that NewLife would partake in during January 2025. Pardon my use of the varying nuances of the English language, but I was not fast to embrace this fast. Give up, sacrifice something daily for 21 days? Really? It didn’t take me long to self-question. Now what kind of attitude is that? Convicted of my poor outlook, I surrendered to the call to fast. Before I established my plan for tackling this fast, God chose to intercede and have a loving, fatherly conversation with me.
Let me paraphrase this banter I had with God. “Now Joe, my son, it is honorable that you choose to join the church body for the 21 days of fast. But not so fast. Are you thinking of just giving up the brownies during Sundays after church refreshment time? Let’s examine your day-to-day life together and pull from a few of those indulgences you love. Let’s get to work on this together.”
The pre-determined time arrived. The fast day came, very fast. Was I ready? Does starting a few days early count? Yes, I refrained from those after church brownies. That was fairly easy. Yes, I added more than a few of those indulgences the Lord and I talked about. Was the fast easy? NO. Did I make good use of my time away from those daily desires? YES. More time in the presence of my God, Savior and Helper? YES. Was I tempted to give up? YES, OFTEN. Did I give in to the urge (temptation) to give up? NO.
Not succumbing to giving up was easier than getting my grip around the fast in the first place. You see, during those 21 days, I was lovingly reminded, OFTEN, with conversing with my God, my Lord, my Savior that He doesn’t, and never will, give up on me.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15, ESV)
Let me paraphrase this banter I had with God. “Now Joe, my son, it is honorable that you choose to join the church body for the 21 days of fast. But not so fast. Are you thinking of just giving up the brownies during Sundays after church refreshment time? Let’s examine your day-to-day life together and pull from a few of those indulgences you love. Let’s get to work on this together.”
The pre-determined time arrived. The fast day came, very fast. Was I ready? Does starting a few days early count? Yes, I refrained from those after church brownies. That was fairly easy. Yes, I added more than a few of those indulgences the Lord and I talked about. Was the fast easy? NO. Did I make good use of my time away from those daily desires? YES. More time in the presence of my God, Savior and Helper? YES. Was I tempted to give up? YES, OFTEN. Did I give in to the urge (temptation) to give up? NO.
Not succumbing to giving up was easier than getting my grip around the fast in the first place. You see, during those 21 days, I was lovingly reminded, OFTEN, with conversing with my God, my Lord, my Savior that He doesn’t, and never will, give up on me.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15, ESV)
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