“Many things I have tried to grasp, and have lost. That which I have placed in God’s hands, I still have.”
~ Martin Luther
The idea of fasting has often appealed to the part of my Type B personality that leans a little towards Type A.
Fasting sounds like a sure fire way to get God’s attention, doesn’t it?
I figure if I deprive myself of food or chocolate (oh, no!), God will really know I’m serious about something.
The thing is, fasting something the body craves to eat pales in comparison to fasting a dream or a desire.
Yes, sometimes, that is exactly what God has called us to do — fast a dream.
When Life Throws A Wrench
Before last year, I never saw my life as the thing God wanted me to fast.
Previously, I had a practice of fasting regularly, to ask God to help me through the rough seasons in my life. I often used fasting as a way to strengthen and calm myself, when I faced challenges that were too big to handle.
One of the big burdens I had been carrying for a many years, was the struggle to find purpose in everyday life.
I felt my life didn’t seem to match up with my passions. Life seemed to chuckle at me, whenever it threw a wrench into my plans to pursue my dreams.
I figured I had been pretty patient, but my turn seemed to take too long. I felt I had been pretty faithful, considering everything I’d gone through and how long I’d been waiting.
When was God gonna come through for me? I wondered.
A Lifegiving Fast
Thank God, one day, He revealed a greater meaning of fasting, that took me to a new level of looking at my life.
I was reading Tammy Maltby’s book, “Lifegiving”, when my heart stopped at this line —
“You may need to fast a dream or a desire during a given season of your life. Immediately, you might be wondering how you can fast something you love for a season of your life.”
Tammy got my attention!
“Perhaps, you must fast a dream you long to see fulfilled, a loving marriage relationship, the priviledge of becoming a parent, or a ministry you have always desired to have.
No matter what the fast may be, it is always connected to what we secretly desire and deeply love.“
I learned that God’s bigger picture of fasting, went beyond what I wanted to get out of it.
God was letting me know, fasting with my life is sacrifice He was asking me to trust Him with.
My season of waiting suddenly took on a powerful significance that gave my everyday life meaning and purpose.
A Fresh Pair Of Eyes
The kind of fasting God has in mind is very different from how we often see it used. It’s not an act of deprivation, to send a message to the top, in an effort to bend a powerful deity to notice or care about us.
Fasting also wasn’t given to us as a means to show off piety and restraint — although those might characterize some who do it.
God’s intention of fasting helps us let go of ourselves more — out of a trust that He cares and values our precious dreams — so that He can take hold of us more.
Fasting is an oxymoron – a ceasing of our own activity, to increase God’s activity in us.
Once I saw my dreams in waiting as an opportunity for God to use me, I fasted, out of trust.
I saw my everyday life with a fresh pair of eyes.
I found joy knowing my fast will end one day, when God says it’s time. I haven’t been forgotten.
How is God asking you to fast your life and trust Him?
How has God used you, as you fast for a season?
I know God is doing great things with our lives! The results of fasting isn’t a sad face, but a powerful passion that will touch and make a difference in the people around us, as He works in us!
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter —
when you see the naked, to clothe him?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by TheBonnieGray: New Post — Fasting A Dream http://bit.ly/bkruc5 When Life Throws a Wrench, What Do You Do?…
Fasting a dream is an arresting line!
There is a lot of clarity to be had in passionate contemplation of Him.
.-= Maureen (Mo)´s last blog ..Show Me What Kindness Looks Like (Poem) =-.
“God was letting me know, fasting with my life is sacrifice He was asking me to trust Him with.” I love that statement!
This is a tough one for me. I have never really thought about fasting from this perspective. I am going to have to ponder this one some more Bonnie!
Great thought provoking post!
Did you share this just for me today? I just finished a short fast of food and it rather left me empty and shallow feeling. (no pun intended) Been struggling with my dreams and expectations on how God should bless our efforts financially only to have them all crushed. So reading this I believe may be my answer. God wants me to fast my dreams. Oh this may very indeed be the hardest thing I’ve ever been called to do. I think I want to go cry now. But I know I want God’s will…so I will wrestle this down and ask God what His desire is in this.
Thanks for the challenge.
Great post. It’s wonderful think of fasting as freeing ourselves in order to embrace what God has for us.
I’ve never been a faster. I believe in the Biblical basis of it and support others who do it. I’ve just never done one myself. Your post causes me to reconsider that statement. I have had many times where I’ve set aside what I want to do for God’s plan. Right now I have my idea of what would be best for myself and my family…but I’m trusting in God’s timing and direction for us. Thank you for sharing this. It is an entirely new concept for
me.
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..In Sickness & In Health =-.
this is so powerrful, as i see that this is the season i am in. I have had so many changes, and unknnowns, that i completely have surrendered to the hand of God. I do not know where or when or how, but i DO know WHO. He who is in me is greater than in this world. So i will continue to fast my life, and await for the redeemer to show me the way, the truth and the life he has made plans for me.
What a great post. Blessings, faith
this is really a profound thought. kind of how i had always thought of finding contentment in the things i felt i was “going without” because it was not the season…but this is a great new way to look at it. thanks!
Fasting a dream does indeed force me to trust the direction the Lord is taking me and let go of the direction I want to go. Thanks for getting us thinking long and hard about what a fast can be.
.-= Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Destructive Criticism vs. Healthy Critique =-.
Wow. I have never thought of fasting in this way. Thank you so much for sharing. You have given me so much to think about now.
.-= Amy Nabors´s last blog ..Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner & Giveaway #6 =-.
Wow.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..There Was a Plank in My Eye =-.
Wow this spoke right to me. I have been struggling with this for a few months. Today, actually, I found myself wondering when was something I wanted ever going to turn out right. A lot of times I feel stuck because of where I am in life. I’m graduating in May. So my focus is graduating and working> leaving little time for what I feel is a “purpose”. It goes back to what you said about finding purpose in every day life…All that to say: This is what I needed tonight.
.-= Jennifer Adams´s last blog ..A Family Affair =-.
“God’s intention of fasting helps us let go of ourselves more — out of a trust that He cares and values our precious dreams — so that He can take hold of us more.”
This was a beautiful explanation of fasting. Thanks for the morning devo.
.-= Debbie (50centlove)´s last blog ..Things Running Through My Mind =-.
Bonnie, thank you for sharing something so difficult for most of us to articulate in a way that’s so clear.
Fasting effectively is SO difficult for this mom of five. Only once can I remember having most of a day to really set apart to the praying part only one time. But all the other times of fasting have still been worth the sacrifice. With each hunger pang I have a moment to concentrate on the part of God I want more than the food. I have a moment to pray to be released from whatever it is I might “secretly desire and deeply love” as much as food, but which isn’t as necessary—as you’ve so eloquently described.
I’m trying to enter a new season of fasting, though only coincidently timed at Lent’s beginning. Fasting has a way of humbling me before God that I need EVERY day. I’m very, VERY grateful for the timing of this post.
.-= Anne Lang Bundy´s last blog ..Kindness Says … =-.
very hard to do. especially with the things closet to your heart.
So that is what I’ve been doing!!! After 26 years of marriage, FatherGod told me to stop trying to get my hubby to be romantic which was only making me frustrated. He told me to get rid of my romantic expectations and to rest in what I had. I did nothing on my own from then on. FatherGod has prompted me since to do things. Because I am obeying Him, the frustration is gone and I have been much happier. Thanks, Bonnie, for your insight!
“God’s intention of fasting helps us let go of ourselves more — out of a trust that He cares and values our precious dreams — so that He can take hold of us more.
Fasting is an oxymoron – a ceasing of our own activity, to increase God’s activity in us.”
This is great, Bonnie. I have pondered this post for a couple of days. I definitely think I am fasting a dream. And at first, I think I was walking around sullen, but I think I am finally coming to the end of myself and surrendering to Him, willingly and joyfully.
.-= Chrystie´s last blog ..What In The World Are You Drinking? =-.
I have no idea how I’ve not been here before. I of course recognize your name from comments elsewhere. This thought line is so revealing. This has been my experience with fasting as well… of course not always… I had been put into a medically induced fast… migraine stuff… for the month of november, and because of the mounting medical bills I also had to restrain in spending.
given the time of year, if you can imagine, fasting consumtion of all kinds for almost a month before Thanksgiving/ and ‘black friday’, well, I’ve never been the same. I’m not the same person, the same kind of parent, wife or friend. It’s a good thing.
this was good. very, very good.
.-= cindy hanson´s last blog ..Untitled =-.
my husband and i were not fasters, until this past month. we just finished (on wednesday) a 21 day daniel fast (eating only fruits & vegetables).
i can’t say that i knew the purpose for the fast. we both felt God calling us to do so.
so we set out to be obedient and faithful together.
i can say that before the fast i was holding pretty tightly to something, something that seemed righteous, and it might have been (neglected neighbor children needing to be placed in a foster home), had i not become so consumed by it that i wasn’t consumed by God.
i have been released from being consumed by it, and am choosing to trust God to be God in that situation.
this post also causes me to think of this season of lent. last year i gave up believing lies for lent. giving up chocolate, internet, t.v., or ice cream seemed trivial to me (though it may not be for others). what i really needed to go without were the lies i allowed to seep in. how beautiful Easter was, recognizing the freedom Jesus came to give me from Satan.
I so love this post. Wow… I too am a faster… so reading this placed fasting in a whole new perspective. Thank you Bonnie!
Thanks, Jenny!
[…] This Someone is my Counselor, healing me with words that went deeper than any dream. […]
Deeply moved by these words as I ponder my own season of waiting. God’s timing in your words is perfect for this very moment, these days.
.-= Cheryl Smith´s last blog ..It’s Christmas Eve in Our House =-.
WOW… I am in awe right now… Last night I had a dream where my ex-husband kept throwing a wrench at me but he was never able to hit me. But when I would throw it back at him, it would hit. So, he finally walked away.
As I was searching for some meaning of this wrench throwing, it brought me to this website. God has been helping me a lot through my divorce and the heartache. Maybe this is what I need to fast. Can someone help me with this process, any suggestions? Thank you for the share. It was wonderful.