The Fast

This week, my church did an all church fast. It wasn't necessarily to be a food fast, but could really be giving up anything that takes up too much of our time or allows us to put time with God on the back burner. At the first mention of a fast, I had some strong emotions. I thought, isn't that a little crazy, fasting, seems a little zealous to me. But, I thought, prayed, and thought and prayed some more about it, and realized it wasn't such a crazy idea. I'll come right out and admit, I didn't make it too long without food. Even though I said I would eat fruits, vegetables, and protein at dinner, I still only made it until midmorning on Tuesday. That was when I was trying to teach a lesson on multiplication, snapping at my poor third graders, with a raging headache, and I realized I had been talking in circles all morning; no wonder they were so confused. So, mental note to self, don't fast and teach the intricacies of multiplication at the same time. 

What I did manage to fast from, was the internet, all drinks other than water and tea, and eating after dinner. I don't know if the eating after dinner one counts, but it was probably my hardest one. I did spend more time in prayer, reading my Bible, and just generally thinking about God and what he has for me in the coming months. I came to realize how much I use my computer at home as a distraction from dealing with the things that need to be dealt with. I also realized how much I use food as comfort and eat without even really thinking about it or being hungry. Finally, I believe I was able to get some clarity on what I am doing this summer and why I am doing it. 

My biggest struggle was deciding if I had agreed to go on the Mexico mission trip with the high school students because I thought it sounded fun and I like Mexico, or if I was going because God really wanted me to go and has a plan for what will happen there. Since I am also going to Rwanda at the end of the summer, I was worried it might be too much. Tonight, we had a "break the fast" soup dinner and worship time at church. While we were singing, I was still praying about Mexico. I had a feeling of peace come over me about my decision to go, that yes, it was God's plan, and yes it is what he has for me this summer. I know that in the month between trips, I will receive the rest I need to prepare for the trip. It will be a busy summer, but it will also be the summer of a lifetime.  I don't know what will happen, or how it will go, but I do feel that going to Mexico is what God has for me this summer.