Easy or Right?

Yesterday I decided to undertake a mini fast in preparation for the general election. I had heard Dr. Dobson say that Christians should be fasting and in prayer prior to voting, our Pastor discussed it in church this past Sunday as a spiritual discipline often times overlooked, and my sister had just informed me a few days ago of her success in a 10 day cleansing fast. All of this talk of fasting motivated me I guess to check it out for myself.

I researched biblical fasting and found there were variations of fasting from which to choose. I did not have to do a full-blown fast as my sister did (thank God) to be effective in denying my flesh. I decided to start out a little easier. My fast consisted of denying myself of all of the things I normally eat and replacing them with all of the things I normally do not eat. Therefore, chocolate, snack food, and meat were out. Fruit and veggies were in.

When my daughters arrived home from school, my ten year old was quite interested in the liquid concoction she discovered in our refrigerator. I explained to her that it was water, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and maple syrup (I learned of this from my sister), and that I was drinking it as part of my fast in preparation for the general election. Now, she is my co-political junkie in the house as well as very passionate about God, and wanting to follow my lead boldly announced she was going to fast too, starting tomorrow! I chuckled at her tempered exuberance.

However, when she learned we were having meatloaf for supper (which she hates), she became more interested in the specifics of the fast, and after learning I wasn’t eating meat declared she was starting today. My husband I had a meeting to attend prior to supper so she had to set the table while we were away. When we arrived home, there were only two plates on the table. When my husband asked why there were only two, she responded, “Mom and I are fasting!” I had to remind her that we could eat fruit and veggies, and I was starving, so we needed plates. She added two saucer size plates to the table setting.

Now, I know my daughter hates meatloaf but I also know she hates cooked carrots, but she willing filled her plate. She even commented to all of us how many carrots she put on her plate and had eaten so far, as if we should be proud of her. I have to say I was quite impressed with her effort, when suddenly she blurted out, quite loudly by the way, “Wait a minute, don't carrots come from pigs?”

I knew it was too good to be true. We garden and she knows darn well that carrots do not come from pigs, but she was looking for an out. She did not want to disappoint anyone by not being able to follow through on her commitment so she tried to find a loophole to get her off the hook.

Isn’t that what we all do occasionally in our faith? We eagerly declare to God that we want to serve him and follow His will for our lives. We will do anything for him, but then we find out obedience isn’t so easy, and we look for a loophole. You didn’t really mean it that way. Did you Lord? That was true in bible times, but it’s not relevant for today, right?

A rich, young man once inquired of Jesus what he must do to get into heaven. Jesus told him to sell everything he had, donate it to the poor, and come, follow me. The rich young man left saddened, because he was quite wealthy. He was not willing to give up all he had for Jesus. His wealth had too much of a hold on him. He wanted another option, one that did not involve giving up what he loved.

We want to do things for God on our terms because we don’t always want to give something up or do something new. We want easy, but does easy make it right? God’s way is always the right way! He will help us learn how to obey and serve him even when it’s hard. We just have to trust in Him.

May you passionately pursue Jesus and trust in His deliverance wholeheartedly even when it is hard and uncomfortable. The reward far outweighs the momentary struggle with your flesh.