The taste of God's cool, refreshing water is never better than when breaking a fast.
The taste of God's cool, refreshing water is never better than when breaking a fast. The weak, hungry body is quickly strengthened by a morsel of wholesome food. Our physical bodies are weakened in a fast, but our inward spiritual person is made stronger. A fast seeking a closer walk with our God and His guidance in our lives adds to our spiritual growth.
There is, however, a fast that can lead to spiritual weakness. It's a fast that over time leads to a gradual falling away, to taking on less of the character of our Father and to a high risk of spiritual estrangement from our God. This harmful fast deprives us of the "meat" of God's Word—Bible study— and the "water" of the Spirit—our time in prayer to God.
Ours is a 24/7 Internet-connected world—iPods, e-mails and cell phones seek to fill every waking moment of our hectic lives. A physical priority each day is to partake of sufficient food and water to nourish the body for the daily demands. How much more, with the cares of the world pressing on our lives, must we partake of the spiritual food and water (Bible study and prayer) to nourish the inner man?
Soldiers cannot go to war successfully on empty stomachs. Neither can we, as soldiers of Christ, engage in our spiritual warfare if we are weakened by spiritual starvation. Satan is like a roaring lion, and the spiritual weakling is a prime target.
Each of us must work out what best fits in our lifestyle to avoid spiritual starvation. Morning people can get up early enough to fit in prayer and Bible study time before the day begins. Night owls can fit in the spiritual time when the early birds are zonked out by 10 p.m.! Even a lunch hour, with a quiet spot somewhere, can work in a pinch.
You're a commuter? Use your church library and check out sermons to listen to on your daily commute. What joy these sermons brought me on my own daily commute!
Be creative! Where there is a will, there is a way to keep spiritual priorities.
When it comes to spiritual food and drink, don't fast too much. Bon appétit!
