As I sat in church on yesterday, I quickly wrote that I wanted a closer relationship with God this year. I listened to the sermon which detailed the requirements for denial of 'self' and wordly pleasures and comforts if one hoped to become a disciple of Jesus (Luke 14:25-33). I began to think that it would be easy to deny my 'self' since I lead a rather simple life. I became slightly 'puffed up' as I considered the ease that I would have in becoming one of Jesus' followers. Then the pastor made everything 'real' for me when he mentioned the 25 day fast that he wanted church members to complete during January. He passed out a planning calender for the fast so that the choice(s) could be made about what would be sacrificed for the fasting period. There were plenty of choices-- food, meat, tv, music, Internet, sweets-- to make the fast meaningful. The beauty of the planning calendar is that it requires bible study, prayer, fellowship, and scriptural reflection daily.
Today was my first day fasting. I told no one at work of my decision. I decided to abstain from meat and tv for 7 days. I was surprised that giving up tv has been more difficult than giving up meat. I did not realize how much time I spent with the tv on to drown out the silence of bachelorhood. Television had become my friend as it talked to me, informed me, and made me laugh. I did not realize that the noise was also drowning out the 'wee small voice of God' that I needed to hear. I look forward to a new friendship with God. He will guide me, instruct me, lead me, and teach me His ways rather than the ways of the world that my old friend knows so well...
God, I thank you for this opportunity to grow spiritually in your Word and presence.
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