It's easy to be on a fast and not at His feet

There are moments throughout the day that I am prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray or worship or do both. January 6, 2024 happened to be one of those days and as I prayed these are the words that rolled off my tongue...

It's easy to be on a fast and not at your feet.

For the past 2 years, I've been fasting consistently for the first 3 days of each month with Covered By God ministries not including the days that the Holy Spirit prompts me to fast outside of that. The truth is fasting has helped change my life for the better not because I turn my plate down and deny myself gummy bears and pancakes for a period of time, but because it forces me to sit at Jesus' feet.

For example, you can't soothe yourself with ice cream & cookies when those feelings of sadness or loneliness come rushing in like a flood while you're fasting. And it's pretty difficult to ignore those painful memories that gnaw away at your conscience when you can't have the snack you really want to make yourself feel better. However, the reality is that you can get accustomed to anything after you've been doing it for a while and fasting is no exception.  

Let's be real. You've been fasting consistently for a few months now, so you know what could happen on the inside of you during that period. Therefore, when those not so fuzzy feelings arise you may already have a plan in place to watch one of your favorite TV shows or movies, so you won't have to address them. When those painful or embarrassing memories pop up, no big deal. You'll just neglect your own deeply-rooted issues by gawking at someone else's on your favorite social media app. Before you know it, your fast is no longer a time of sanctification and consecration. At minimum, it's just a few days that you happen to put yourself on a very strict food diet. 

Sisters Martha & Mary crossed my mind while I was writing this. They were privileged to receive a home visit from Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry yet their responses to His presence were totally different.

"But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.' And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'” - Luke 10:40-41

What we witness in this passage of scripture is what many of us may have been guilty of at one point or another on our journey with Christ. Mary sat while Martha stressed. Mary sat while Martha sulked. Mary sat while Martha seemingly did good things with a frustrated heart. One person trying to get things done fast in hopes of pleasing God with their good works while the other is willing to fast from a meal or two and stop everything they're doing for a moment at Jesus' feet. 

I am in no way exalting Mary above Martha because I've been both and maybe you have too. But what we all can do going forward is not treat anything we do for the LORD as common and be even more intentional about spending as much intimate time with Him as possible, especially on those days that we specifically set aside for consecration.

Have you ever been guilty of doing something for God from a heart posture of religion instead of relationship with Jesus?