Lessons from the fast
Participating in a church-wide fast last week brought many lessons.
We ate only fruits, vegetables and whole grains. We also abstained from watching TV, Internet surfing and movies. Salt and dairy products were also on the no-no list.
Our fast was not associated with Lent. However, the timing of it coincided with Lent, which continues until Easter Sunday. I had blogged and written a column about Lenten-related fasts, so this church fast came at an interesting time. A part of me pouted somewhat because of the timing, but here’s what I learned:
1. I slept better, like a rock most nights. Often, I fall asleep with the TV on and I’m guessing that that deters me from sleeping soundly once I do drift off.
2. I ate foods that I had never eaten or ever thought about eating. And they were good, very good.
3. My palate changed and I was OK with that. Me and my kids read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and focused in particular on Jesus’ references to believers being “salt” and “light.” Matthew 5:13 really stood out: ”Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” When you haven’t had any salt for a few days and you are used to having some of it sprinkled on your food, you realize how much flavor it adds or brings out.
4. My thinking seemed to be clearer — no distractions to compete for my attention.
5. Our church was praying for specific things but each family was encouraged to join together for family devotion and prayer time each day. Some interesting discussion ensued.
6. There were plenty of spiritual lessons of a personal nature.
7. Perhaps the greatest lesson is that God’s timing is more important than anything else. I fretted about not being able to watch some of the Big 12 championship tournament games, but guess what? I learned that sometimes the things we think are so important may be the very things that God may want us to rethink or at least re-prioritize. I think about all the conversations with family and friends, the prayers and spiritual insight I gleaned, and I know that it accomplished what my pastor hoped it would.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
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