I have decided fasting got its name either because when
people are fasting they want it to go by FAST or because when it is finally
over you eat everything you see really FAST.
A few weeks ago our leaders decided the group needed to
fast. Our meals consisted of one
slice of bread with butter or jelly for breakfast and one slice of bread with
peanut butter for lunch. I was
already hungry all the time because the portions were so small that lessening
our food intake angered my flesh.
Our group fed (no pun
intended) off each other’s negativity and I did not see what eating less food
could possibly teach me. However,
God had a purpose and he taught me more than I could have imagined.
Lesson #1: Submit to authority: God placed Nate and Traday in charge of our group and I
trust Him so why wouldn’t I trust their judgment? It was hard to accept the fast at first because it wasn’t my
decision, but I needed to trust in God and my leaders that the decision was for
my best interest.
Lesson #2: Americans REALLY like food: As the fast
progressed, thoughts of food began to consume my mind. I would start to crave foods I
didn’t even eat at home. Liz and I
would sit in our room and talk about food every free second we had. Then, someone would get fed up with the
tantalizing conversations, and order us to stop talking about food. Immediately the room would fall
silent…we would have nothing else to talk about. It was fun envisioning chocolate cake, but food was taking
over my mind. Honestly, we were
fine and we were blessed to still get three meals a day. Getting food on the table has never
been a problem for our family, and this fast taught me how blessed I am with
food. Food is not something I
would normally say I am grateful for because the absence of food was never an
issue. However, this trip has made
me grateful for food, and given me the understanding that food is a blessing
from God, not something I am entitled to.
Lesson #3: Left in awe of the one who gave it all: Our bus
rides lasted at least half an hour most days. The bus rides is where I thought about my hunger the
most. I decided to use my time
more constructively so instead of thinking about how hungry I was, I would
pray. Last Tuesday, we were on the
bus for about three hours each way because we traveled to the country. The scenery was breathtaking, and I
think that was the first time I truly took notice in the nature God has
created. For some reason the word
AWE kept popping in my mind. I
have definitely been in awe of God before, but this was different. I was in awe of God’s creation. Seeing the green rolling hills made me
feel closer to Him, they were perfect like Him. I was also able to appreciate people because God created
them perfect in his image too. God
is perfect and that is beautiful.
Lesson #4: Even the simplest things God can use as a
teaching lesson: My advice is not to resist because He has a perfect plan, and
the quicker you gain peace, the more you will learn. God works all things together for my own good. I just need to trust even the hard
times will bring me closer to Him and in the end, He has plans for me to
prosper. He is a good God, and He
continues to capture my heart more and more each day.
God Bless,
Elizabeth
