True Fasting (Part II)

Is it possible for a 9-year old boy to experience the joy of true fasting?

The above question ran through my head that morning, and I became more and more curious about the joy which my parents and siblings exuded in the midst of fasting and praying. So, I returned to the room to be once again a part of the family's activities.

I took my seat while Manmie was praying about our need for God to remove our spiritual blindness and replace it with spiritual sight or insight through the light of His Word. Had I known the following verse back then, I simply would have quoted it in agreement:

"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law." 

Psalm 119:18, NIV

Though I had not yet learned it, this verse eloquently expresses what I heavily sighed to God on that day so many moons ago. God, in His infinite wisdom, once again began to operate on me and the zillion blinding scales of self-centeredness and insolence proceeded to fall from my eyes. 

I began to see.

I began to perceive God's truth.

I began to receive the blessedness of God's law. 

As I observed my parents, in particular, and listened to the reading of Scripture about fasting, I slowly began to understand that true fasting is clearly an expression of love to God. I realized that my parents' decision to allow me to eat earlier that day was because they knew coercion should never be a part of fasting. It was to be my own choosing to sacrifice my personal comfort and convenience in deference to total surrender and commitment to my heavenly Father.

My heart broke. 

Did I miss my opportunity?

Did I mess it up completely?

Guilt and remorse filled my heart to the brim as I considered the deplorable behavior in which I had indulged. Thankfully, however, through God's grace, I learned that the Father is a God of a zillion chances. 

No, I could not un-eat the food I had already consumed.

No, I could not undo the actions I had allowed myself to commit.

But . . .

I could learn to hunger for something different.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled."

Matthew 5:6, NIV

I could learn to crave an altogether different substance.

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,

so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

1 Peter 2:2-3, NIV

I could learn to pick up my cross, deny my flesh, and follow the Master.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples,

'If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.' "

Matthew 16:24, NIV

My focus began to shift from being the loveless leader of my life to being the love-filled follower of Christ. Almost imperceptibly, the first ray of joy penetrated my soul. Oh, the bliss! I was not prepared for it but gratefully welcomed it when it came. 

And God was about to reveal so much more to me about true fasting . . .

Father, I continue to be amazed by Your teaching and guidance through every experience of life -- even my worst failures. Deposit in me an increasingly fiercer hunger and craving for You, Your righteousness, and Your nourishment as I strive to walk daily in Your ways. Amen!