Thursday, March 20, 2008

Day 4

So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, an my mouth will praise you with joyful lips… (Psalm 63:4-5)

A few years ago, I heard a comedian talking about babies and how funny they are. His argument was that they get away with a lot of things, and are even considered cute for things which are considered quite offensive in grown-ups. One example he used was their tendency to cry, scream even, when they are hungry. He painted a hysterical mental picture for his audience of a restaurant full of grown-ups, screaming and throwing tantrums while they waited for food as their harried waitresses ran here and there shoving bread sticks in their mouths to quiet them.

When my youngest niece was a baby, she would get bright red in the face and scream violently when meal time came around. She startled more than a few onlookers with volume one wouldn’t expect from a 10lb infant on more than one occasion. But as soon as that bottle was in her mouth, returned to her normal, quiet and sweet self, even sighing and cooing as she ate.

From birth, our bodies are wired to need, crave, and hotly pursue food. But somewhere along the line, the physical urge gets mingled with the emotional and things get bad. Now, I can’t ever recall a time when I screamed for food, but the irrational craving and rationalization that goes on in my heart sometimes is the grown-up equivalent, I think. So, the idea of missing a meal is not something I consider easily.

I am thankful, though, that our consideration or preferences or estimation of what we are capable of is not the final word on any subject.

According to the eating schedule that came with the online study program, today was a day of fasting. In fact, if I follow it as is, I will fast every Thursday. I confess, when I first looked over the plan I was hesitant. But God…

As is His way, he prepared the way before me. He gave me three wonderful days before the fast day and calmed my heart. The fear I anticipated going into this day just wasn’t there. The headache I woke with this morning dissipated quickly. The extreme hunger and weakness I expected was non-existent. And, the difficultly I thought I’d have replacing food with the Bread of His Word was beautifully natural.

Faithful is He who has called us and set us apart!

He promises to keep us, to intercede for us, to go before us and prepare a way, to give us all grace and all sufficiency in all things at all times, to be our strength when we are weak, to complete every good work He begins in us and satisfy our souls. This He has done, time and time again, and this He will do...and so much more...always...as we turn to Him in obedience.

"My soul waits and in His name I hope..." for grace to continue, to be faithful, to be truly changed...for His glory! Amen!

1 comment:

  1. Oh Tina, keep pressing on for the highest God has to offer you! It has been such a blessing for me to see the pathway HE has taken you on. God bless you richly!

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