Seek the Source
I am fasting. Along with maaaaaany others in the world. Specifically with three other ladies I have the privilege of being in community with. Two of us are following the Daniel Fast food regimen, one is restricting all social media and the final person is eliminating certain parts of her diet along with the removal of social media. Because let’s be clear, not everything we ‘feast’ on is food, and not everything we receive is beneficial.
I knew I wanted to do this fast this year because honestly, I need God desperately right now. There are countless things I want to do, countless things I’ve never done before, and in everything I need direction. That divine, omniscient direction. The kind of direction that can only come from the maker of the way one should go. So I seek the source.
“Fasting is giving up a legitimate need of the body, for a greater need of the soul.”
Dr. Eric Mason
My soul’s need is indeed greater. My situations, deeper. My goals, higher. My opposition, tighter. My understanding and knowledge of it all, slimmer. My faith, it must get riskier. So again I say: seek the Source.
And this seeking is only at the beginning. We started on 1/10/22 and have committed to 21 days. I had an interview on Monday, and the interviewer said ‘God’s the limit!’ in reference to the innumerable ways in which the organization could grow. That stuck with me because my expectations of God are just that, beyond sky high, they’re God high.
And He’s already delivered.
As my good sis (a term of endearment and respect, I don’t know her personally yet) Miss Kristen describers in her book:
“The Daniel Fast is a unique opportunity for you to hunger for the Lord and feast on the truth of his Word. When you fast, you restrict your food intake as a form of self denial and worship, setting aside your basic physical desires for spiritual ones. You pull away from life’s distractions and focus on your Savior so that you can be strengthened, refreshed, and renewed. God is ready to bless anyone who has an insatiable appetite for him and his Word. Those who long for God and his righteousness will not be disappointed, because ‘he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things (Psalms 107:9)….”
Excerpt taken from “The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast” by Kristen Feola.
I entered this fast with specific needs and desires. Chief among them being provision, direction, and a word. This “word” can come in the form of a phrase or theme, but I specifically want an action word(s) I can commit to for the year. This would act as my compass for the year helping to provide direction while I sought provision. (You see what I did there?) And to Kristen’s point, I needed to set up times to turn away from distractions and turn to God.
But how? Aren’t you already starving?
Anyone can fast, intermittent fasting is one form of weight loss and appetite control. However, that’s not the goal here. It’s not enough just to cut out food, I need to seek the source. So here’s what I came up with for our quartet:
the Group Chat
- – fasting food or some other element.
- – a time of reflection via written journal or voice memo to self daily. Minimum of 3 sentences.
- – a sermon a day for 21 days – listen whenever you just have to listen to one each day
- – 30min of prayer each day
- – 1 corporate prayer time each week with all of us over zoom
- – Reading the Bible daily. Either a study plan or book and chapter. That’s up to you. But we must fill ourselves
WE NOT PLAYING AROUND YOU HEARD?!
And Tuesday morning, 1/11, God made a deposit.
One word God settled on me was PERSEVERANCE. In my journal i wrote:
I’m such a nerd too that in my tinglyness of holy spirit receiving, I immediately launched a google search and God continued to provide. I found this EXCELLENT article written on perseverance that was LOADED with all kinds of gems.
God was so loud as I was reading this article. I continued to write several more pages on insights I was picking up and verses I wanted to memorize. God was on the move and I refused to miss it.
I didn’t know how long it would take but I knew God would come. Why? Because God is faithful. The Good Shepherd was offering his staff and leading to me still waters. ‘he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things (Psalms 107:9)’
to all the seekers:
Romans 11:36 NIV
Create the space for God to separate the mystery from the mundane.
Become parched for His presence, hungry for Holiness.
Join me, join us! Subtract something from your life and seek after Him.
Search like your future depends on it, because maybe it does.
The Source awaits. (And I guarantee His freedom looks good on you.)
