3 things I learned from 31 days of Fruit and Vegetables

In the month of December Jeanne and I embarked on a 31 day Daniel Fast.  If you’re unfamiliar with what a Daniel Fast is, it’s basically committing yourself to eating nothing but Fruit, Vegetables, Legumes, and Water based on this passage from the life of Daniel

“During those days, I, Daniel, went into mourning over Jerusalem for three weeks. I ate only plain and simple food, no seasoning or meat or wine. I neither bathed nor shaved until the three weeks were up. (Daniel 10:2-3, The Message)

Aside from the Not Showering part , we followed the fast as literally as we did dependently.  In the midst of Christmas Parties, our own Fund Raiser, and a Giant 5 Gallon Tin of Popcorn from my parents, we stayed true to our fast.

We did it to focus our body, mind, and soul on the presence and provision of God.  In a season when we are raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Soul City Church, we didn’t want to forget where it all comes from and who it all belongs to.  It’s one of the most important spiritual discipines I have ever embarked upon and one that I will repeat regularly.  Here’s 3 things I learned along the way.

1. Satan is real (kinda already knew that) and uses Resistance as one of my Greatest Temptations. The day before the fast, I looked for every possible way I could cut corners, opt out, quit while I was ahead.  Jeanne’s response to me was both Simple and Succinct- If you feel that God is telling you not to do this, than I will fully support it.  (I don’t think Satan planned on Jeanne M. Stevens)
2. Food is the Cause and Solution to all my Problems.  In just 31 days I uncovered how deeply rooted is my belief that I am Chief Dispenser of Comfort to my life.  And food is where I find comfort.  Instead of staying in the tension I escape to whatever “little comfort” will take me away from the place where God tends to do some of his greatest work.
3. The thing you are most afraid of, may be the very place God is inviting you…and He will give you the strength you need.  This was perhaps the greatest thing I gleamed from God throughout this process.  The first two days were hard (slurred speech not being the least of it), but every day after I literally felt like I had exactly what my body needed.  I honestly never felt weak or overly hungry.  My body was at peace (which had a wonderful ripple effect on my mind and soul).  For anyone who’s ever finished a race or an impossible assignment or task, you know what it’s like to step back from it all and say, “Look at what I just did”.  Only difference on this one is that I step back and say, “Look at what God just did.”

I am so glad we did it.  I am so thankful for what God did in me through it.  You may have never fasted before or may be in the middle of one right now.  Whatever your exposure and experience with fasting, I am convinced that it is one of the most tangible forms of Transformation we can participate it.  The math of the whole thing is brilliant – I take something away, God gives me something greater in it’s place.  I would highly recommend that you ask God the simple question after reading this post – “Father, what are you inviting me to let go of so I can better cling to you?”

The question is NOT whether or not God is inviting you to Fast, but rather WHAT is HE inviting you to Fast from.

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