Fast Freak Out

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. – I Cor 4:11-13

Paul is speaking to the church and recounting his state because of the Gospel. Hungry, dirty, thirsty, homeless, hated, scum.

Shawn and I have just been IMing over this whole fasting thing. On Nov 12 many of us in exchange will begin a fast. Some from food (all meals or some), some from smoking, some from media, some from other things. I will fast from some food but do I fast from all meals? Some? Just thinking about it makes me crave a cheeseburger.

We had a conversation on fasting Tuesday night with the girls. The family is fasting from TV. The girls were not so excited, but we explained that it needs to be something that is a sacrifice. “Yea,” says Madison (8 years old), “You wouldn’t want to fast from like touching pencils or something.”

Hmm, no. That would be too easy.

I just had lunch with two friends who are giving up smoking for the week. They are freaking out. I told them I would find them and light up a smoke and take a big drag in front of them. They threatened to eat a 12″ Subway sandwich in front of me. It’s good to have friends.

If Paul was hungry, dirty, thirsty, homeless, hated, scum, and refuse, it stands to reason that I can give up food for a week. It seems pretty lame in comparison. Incredibly lame. Incredibly scary.

God, I am uncertain here. I believe that I can hear from you clearer in weakness. I believe that you ask us to fast. I believe that you are asking us to fast these days. I believe that I am scared.

[tags]fasting, fast, smoking, quit smoking, God, Jesus, exchange, Subway, Bible, 1 Corinthians[/tags]