Intercession - Love God love your neighbors

Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.

27 million – Number of people in modern-day slavery across the world.

1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.

32 billion – Total yearly profits generated by the human trafficking industry.

1.6 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live without electricity

Number of children in the world

2.2 billion

Number in poverty

1 billion (every second child)

According to UNICEF statistics, 300,000 children under 18 are serving as regular soldiers, guerrilla fighters, porters, spies, sexual slaves, and even suicide commandos, in conflicts under way in over 50 nations. Over the past decade, conflicts have claimed the lives of more than 2 million children; left millions maimed or permanently disabled, 10 million with serious psychological trauma, and resulted in over 12 million children refugees. In addition, worldwide conflicts have created 1 million orphans.

Consider the global priorities in spending in 1998

Global Priority	$U.S. Billions
Cosmetics in the United States	8
Ice cream in Europe	11
Perfumes in Europe and the United States	12
Pet foods in Europe and the United States	17
Business entertainment in Japan	35
Cigarettes in Europe	50
Alcoholic drinks in Europe	105
Narcotics drugs in the world	400
Military spending in the world	780

And compare that to what was estimated as additional costs to achieve universal access to basic social services in all developing countries:

Global Priority	$U.S. Billions
Basic education for all	6
Water and sanitation for all	9
Reproductive health for all women	12
Basic health and nutrition	13

Let not your hearts be troubled

Hullo folks,

I'm all discombobulated! In some cases, I hate holidays (including birthdays) because everything gets thrown off. All my routines, my lenten practices, my hard practiced habits have gone to seed. I had to admit, I'm not very good at discpline/self-control. *Sighs* When I was home, my mom and I talked quite a bit; and I've come to the conclusion that I am not a peaceful person. The problem is... I'm not really sure why. I know I'm not good at trusting God or surrendering... so those are definite problems. One cannot have a quiet heart without trusting in God's goodness, but I don't know how to get any better. So I've decided to do a word search on peace. Here's what I've come up with so far:

Shalav - to be tranquil ie: secure or sucessful - prosper, happy
Shalom - well, happy, friendly... completeness, welfare, health.
Shalam - to be safe -in mind, body, or estate... to be completed
Shelem - sacrifice in thanks
Shalem - complete or perfect- God demanded total obedience from His people "Let their hearts therefore be perfect with the Lord our God"

My heart is agitated. It is stirred up and troubled. Often I find myself anxious. Most of this is because I forget to give thanks. I like that shelem is a sacrifice in thanks. When you offer the Lord the sacrifice of thanks, you receive peace, because you remember how much He has given and how good He is. You quickly regain optimism when you give thanks.

I never feel complete. Part of my agitation is that I'm constantly longing for connection and fulfillment in relationships. I make myself miserable all the time by attending social functions that I believe will satisfy me, but only sometimes do. But one can only find completeness and security when one has spent time with the Lord.

Rebellion: I have a ridiculously stubborn heart. You know those Israelites and their hard hearts? I sympathize. Sometimes, I simply run from God. I don't spend time with Him. I don't ask His opinion. I don't take time to listen. I don't try to see things from His perspective. This results in misery. My heart can only find perfect peace in obedience.

Pray for me that I may be discplined in obedience to the Lord and find His peace. Pray that I may be content in all circumstances. Pray that I may regain my childlike optimism and be able to give thanks in all situations. Pray that I would not be focused on myself - but look to God and the needs of others. Pray that I would find my security and completeness in God alone. Please help me battle!

I will pray that as you surrender more, and hunger more, His peace still your heart.
Katie

Bless the Lord O My Soul

Buenos Noche folks,

I always get rather angsty around my birthday. In fact, I cried myself to sleep on Monday. I dunno. Time just seems to go so fast. I don't like change... I like stability. Of course, life with God doesn't really allow for that. I am not the one in control, and I constantly need to go out of my comfort zone. So, I guess it's good to be reminded that my life is not my own. Lord, I commit myself to another year under your sovereign hand of love. I re-surrender the desires of my hearts and my deepest dreams. You alone know how to fulfill them and grow me into the perons you first dreamed. May I grow more peaceful under the knowledge that you are in control and you are good.

I will take my own advice from the beginning of this blog and review all the reasons I have for thanksgiving - in this past year as well as my entire life.

I can see - in full color. I can hear. I can breathe. I can walk. I can taste. I can hug and hold. I can speak. I am in perfect physical health. I have few allergies. I don't have cavities, but have glasses, contacts, and retainers. I have easy access to clean water, hot water, water whenever I want it, an abundance of water. I have a college education. I have a stable job. I have a warm house, a comfy bed, a variety of foods. I have money to bless others. I have a car, bike, phone, computer, mp3 player. I have never been physically, verbally, or sexually abused. I have not been raped. I have not been sold into slavery. I have been able to see Kenya, Peru, and Yosemite. Children smile when they see me. I can cook. I can write. I can draw. I can read. I can sleep without too much trouble. I have too many clothes and shoes. I was born and not aborted. I was adopted into a loving family. I have many friends who constantly pour love on me. I have a warm and nourishing church family. I have multiple Bibles. I have a concordance! I have freedom of worship. I grew up knowing the Creator of the universe. I live where there are breathatkingly beautiful sunsets, trees, flowers etc. I have men in my life that are gentlemen - that open the car doors, shovel your walkways, insist you eat first, don't make dirty jokes, give great hugs, and remind you of God's love. When I fall, God picks me up. When I run, God chases after me. Any hardship I experience, is only allowed by God's loving hand; and therefore bearable and refining. And most of all - God gives me unconditional steadfast love, grace to save me in my deadness,  hope to last me through this life, and peace against all anxiety and fear.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits․
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

What doest thou here?

Hullo,

I'm a bit glum... so I'm revisiting my one of my favorite stories in the Bible concerning Elijah. After Elijah tries to do great things for the Lord, yet no revival occurs, all other prophets are slain, and Jezebel is trying to kill him, he runs into the wilderness, falls under a juniper tree, and asks to die. He cries out to the Lord that he's all alone, he's tried to do good, it's not working, and he doesn't really see the point anymore. I often feel this way in community. It may be that I've been gifted with the spiritual gift of prophecy... and one big tripwire for prophets is pride. So often I invest in people, try to build intimacy, try to start conversations on blogs... (lol), write letters, take people out for lunch, listen, start converstations, build something for the Lord... but it's all my doing. So I get frustrated and despairing when I find myself alone even if I'm not truly alone.

Everyone experiences loneliness. It's so strange how sometimes you can feel completely beloved and needed in a group and other times you feel compeletely alone or ignored. I am close to one of the most loved people in the world; and yet I still experience deep haunting loneliness. I don't think anything will ever fill it... until I see the face of God. But I do hope that some day, God will send me a partner. That's one of the beautiful things about this passage in 1 Kings 19. At the end of it, God tells Elijah to find Elisha who will join him in his ministry. God knows it is not good for us to be alone.

Back to the pride thing, I heard a talk about community recently. As I am anticpating the loss of people as they move on from our community, and the loss of someone I love too much, I asked "How does one bear being left behind?" The answer was quite simple. "It's not about you". In a way, that is what the Lord conveys to Elijah when He asks, "What doest thou here?" He's asking "Why are you here? I didn't save your life for you to be moping in a cave! I saved you to bring my kingdom life to others. I called you to serve. I called you to total surrender - where nothing else matters but me." It's a good wake up call to us... when we're throwing a pity party. It may seem strange, but centering everything around God really does make one feel better.

And of course, God doesn't challange Elijah until AFTER he gives him rest and refreshment. So if you're feeling despairing, make sure you get some sleep and good food. It makes a difference. Now, eagerly await to see how God will meet your needs... for be assured He will!

Love,
Katie

Transparent Luminosity: Being a vessel of light

Hi folks,

 
The last few days I've been kind of captivated by the imagery of light. When I've asked the Lord how He wants me to represent Him, I've had three verses bounce around in my head. Exodus 33:29, Luke 11:34, and Hebrews 2:2. I am continually astounded at the illustration of Moses's face being so radiant as to cause fear in the hearts of the Israelites - and that the source of the radiance was being in the presence of God. It literally boggles my mind.


I'm an action, service, Martha kinda girl... and I always wonder how one stays in the presence of God in the middle of this crazy life... which brings me to Hebrews 2:2 and the concept of fixing our eyes on Jesus. In KJV it reads "looking unto Jesus" and "looking" is translated into "to look away from one thing so as to see another" "to concentrate the gaze upon" I love the concept of gazing, because it requires less action and more stillness. If you're going to gaze dreamily into someone's eyes... you can't really do it while you're jogging around, eating food, putting on makeup, etc. However, this translation also gives some power to being still. We often conotate gazing as a lazy business.... something people do as they daydream - but this fixing of the eyes takes willpower to turn away from other distracting things - to one thing - Jesus Christ and his life.

Fixing of the eyes made me think of that weird verse about your eye being the lamp of your body and providing light. In the KJV, the verse translates even more bizzarely "when thine eye is single, thy whole body is also full of light..." WHAT?! Single is translated "no folds within which to hide something" and eye is translated into "singleness of motive" or "faculty of knowing". So actually this verse ties in perfectly with Hebrews 12:2. This verse warns us to have an undivided heart - one focused on the Lord and not mammon (accumulating for ourselves). To quote Herbert Lockyer, "a mind divided between heaven and earth is dark" (1963, p.149).  Conversely, "As we walk with good, sound eyes, and walking in light see objects clearly so the single persistent desire to serve and please God in everything will make our character consistent and bright" (1963, p. 149). Finally, when we live wholeheartedly for the Lord, we have nothing to hide. Therefore, we can live a transparent life... which is the only life that can allow light to shine through.

At this time of year, light/sunshine brings us lightness of heart and joy. So it is with a life centered on God. This is how Christ endured the cross and this is how we are to live as light to the world - something that people crave like sunlight in the winter/spring. As vessels of God's light we are to be warm, transparent, and light of heart with the hope of abundant life in Christ.

May you be radiant today,
All my love,
Katie


Verses:

²⁹ When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord."

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

³⁴ “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. ³⁵ Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. ³⁶ If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”

Reference: All the Parables of the Bible by Hebert Lockyer

Contemplations on Consolation

Confessions:

I'm sitting in bed... at 2 p.m. after watching a movie on Netflix, having broken all my Lenten practices for at least a week now. My head feels like naval mine a thousand feet under water that might detonate at any moment. There's a gigantic elephant of fear sitting on my chest. I have no idea what I'm doing with my life, whether I should be in school, and where I'm going to live next year. I feel purposeless, alone, and terrified out of my mind.

It's that time of Lent where things are getting difficult. Spring is in the air, but it feels like we might not make it. Spring forward sucked an hour out of your life and the weather is muddy at best. You might be in need of comfort... and extra tempted to seek whatever you gave up. I know I am. My physical sickness has weakened my spiritual fortitude. I keep making little exceptions for what I gave up thinking I need to take care of myself. But God will take care of me right? I mean aside from taking responsibility for proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise... He will provide for my needs. Right?

I'm not feeling so confident at the moment. We need each other to encourage one another to trust God. The orginal words for encouragement in the KJV are "exhortation, comfort, and consolation" Parakleo (both to comfort and exhort) literally denotes "to call to one's side". Because my top love languages are quality time and touch, I love this illustration. The best encouragement is when someone comes alongside me. Consolation translates in to "encouragement with the alleviation of grief" It's that same idea of Sunday's message, "death is not the end" "when one door closes another opens" "our failings, weaknesses, sins ultimately work toward forming us into the person God desires us to be as long as we surrender them to Him". Paracletos is "the one summoned, called to one's side" and used of Christ when referring to his intercession on our behalf and of the Holy Spirit who is to give us deeper knowledge of truth and strength to endure trials. On Sunday the pastor gave us this verse to hold out to one another as a guarantee and I find it extremely fitting. May you derive strength and sustenance from it.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Living Upside Down

Hi folks,

As usual, I find myself thoroughly enjoying my Sunday. We had an awesome message by a guest from the land down under. It was based off a quirky little 7 verse passage in 2 Kings 6. So basically the prophets in training are inspired to expand their meeting place. They go off and start chopping trees. (I picture lumber jack style). Then one of them drops his iron axe head in the river. Upset, he cries out to Elisha who answers, "Where did it fall?" The man points out the spot in the river, Elisha  throws a stick into the water, and the axehead floats up from the river bottom.

Ok.... That's weird.

Right? But unpacked, these verses have a profound message. Basically, these guys had a good vision; and all of a sudden out of the blue... something comes along and destroys the very thing that makes this vision possible. Their passionate, good work for the Lord... comes to a screeching halt. They can't do anything. Here we see that sometimes God causes the death of a vision.  But when they reach out to God, he answers them through Elisha, by resurrecting the iron axehead from the river. I mean... when did iron float?

So... I took three points of encouragement from this. 1) Have you ever jumped into an icy lake? The shock of hitting the cold completely takes your breath away. Knowing that God sometimes causes the death of a vision can kind of dampen the icy shock of disappointment. It's like wearing insulation against despair to know that a good God has everything in hand.2) The death of a vision isn't the end of the story. There is always a resurrection; and sometimes the very death of one vision provides fertilizer for the next one. 3) Sometimes you have to revisit the place your dream died in order to see the miracle of life that God created from it. Elisha tells the man "Point to the place the axe fell"... the exact place where your heart was broken, your plan failed, your fiancee dumped you, you got laid off from work, you started a ministry that flopped, someone you loved died, you got evicted from your home, you didn't get the scholarship, you missed the winning shot..." Even though you don't want to face the painful memories, whatever God shows you will completely shoot the darkness to pieces.

Basically, one word turns the world upside down. Resurrection. If death is not the end, then everything is different. Every fall - is actually a fall upward. The very sin you struggle with forms you into the person God wants you to be. Sometimes, it isn't about your dream. Sometimes the death of your dream opens the door for another person's dream... and that is no small thing.



This week, may you have the eyes to see the world upside down - resurrected - hope in all things even the heartbreak. Love,Katie

"Hands of Delight" Portrait of a Hilarious Giver

Dear folks,

I dream to be a hilarious giver - one who's incandescent joy shods my feet in prompt willingness to do whatever is asked of me. I want to be like the woman of Proverbs 31 who works with "hands of delight" or worketh willingly (in delight) with her hands (v. 13) because of the love for her family. There's a quote "Be so happy that when others look at you they become happy too." Snoopy was my childhood hero 1) because I hated serious questions like that... and 2) because he always made me happy. He exuded beagle exuberance - that which is entirely confident without being self-absorbed. For if we are to be givers - we cannot be worried about ourselves.

So quickly I am overwhelmed, drained, and prone to insecurity when I give. How can I possibly be a hilarious giver in the face of so much need?

I've always wondered about the "weight" of glory which is supposed to surpass our light and momentary troubles. When I looked up the word "weight" in my concordance, I found it synonymous to abundance... literally the notion of going down. When a fruit tree bears a bountiful crop, its boughs are bent  down with the abundance of fruit. I think perhaps, when I remember to look to the Lord, I am reminded of all that He has given me; and that glorious inheritance, those boundless riches of Christ press upon me the goodness of God and silence my needs. The love and grace of God has the capacity to fill every crevice of every need. Thus when I am at the end of my rope of giving, I realize more fully my dependence on the Lord and His faithfulness. When the Lord said, "Take my yoke... and find rest for your souls, for my burden is easy" I think of it translated like this, "Take my abundance so that all my gifts will lift the burden of your anxieties and needs." Then we are free to give hilariously and with abandon for we know that we cannot run out of God's gifts. Others cannot drain us dry... for if we continue to carry the burden (abundance) of Christ, we will be more than well equipped to give continuously. This is true joy to me - to know that I can give without growing weary if I remember to stay rooted in God's love. For it is only when I know I am dearly loved, that I can respond to everyone and everything in love.

Merrily yours,
Katie

The Power in Meekness

Dear folks,

"It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the meekness manifested by the Lord and commended to the believer is the fruit of power. The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself but the Lord was "meek" because he had the infinite resources of God at his command."

"Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will." Strong's Concordance.
Father,

I praise you that you are unfailing love - that you desire shalom - wellness, wholeness, excellence in us. I acknowledge your sovereignty in all things.

Forgive me that I am often so self-centered, concerned with how I am to survive and what pleases me. Forgive me for the times I have not trusted you, but resisted believing the falsehood that you are not good and do not care.

Thank you that you look out for me. Thank you that nothing touches me except that which you allow. Thank you for putting aside kingship, sovereignty, and the place you belonged in order to become vulnerable and small like me and bear all my sins and more.

Help me to trust you more deeply. I ask for the Holy Spirit to work in power so that I may bear whatever you crosses you allow to purify me and that I might bear the burdens of my neighbors without complaint. Teach me to set aside entitlement or fear, for in you I have infinite resources.  May I love like you.

Amen

Fighting the shadows

Dear folks,

Some days I feel all drained dry. Some days I can feel the shadows creeping over me the trendrils of darkness trying to pull me into their black despair. I could tell you any number of things today, but sometimes I wonder "what's the point"? Does it really help anyone to have me blabbing my random thoughts? Am I just oversharing? Other people's blogs get passed around like hotcakes... and I know it's not a competition, but sometimes I just feel inferior. It easy to say that one should be able to discharge one's duty without thanks, but it's harder to live it. I once read a story about a man who cleaned the kitchen floor for his wife and was so proud of himself; then his wife came home and naturally missed this detail. He was completely outraged, but she reminded him gently that this was something she did every day. We are so tempted to want our sacrifices glorified when they should be the humble practices we assume daily.

 

 

 

 

So how does one fight the darkness? I find it best to look at the light and use one's sword. Psalm 119 is chalk full reflections on the word of the Lord. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto thy path" (v.105). If you've seen the movie "Starstruck", then you'll understand why I like to close my eyes and hold onto God in my mind and let Him shine - washing away the darkness. His light is so bright it literally scours the evil to dust. Sometimes it's hard to discern God's voice in the silence. I saw this on facebook and thought it might help.

 

 


 

When you see that compilation, you quickly realize I've been listening to the darkness. When I feel it creeping up on me, it's because I've been listening to the wrong voices. So even if you feel alone, discouraged, like giving up etc... hear the voice of one who loves you with an everlasting love. He will cover your grumblings, your tiredness, your fears... and bring you to greater glories.

Love,
Katie

The will of love to endure pain

Dear Folks,

There's something about love that absolutely haunts me. Perhaps it is because as C.S. Lewis says, "To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possible be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal." And yet, it is made ten times worse by his next comment, "The love we are commanded to have for God and our neighbor is a state of the will, not of the affections (though if they ever also play their part so much the better)." So then, I find myself having bound myself to that which will continually wound me. For God so loved the world, he surrendered Himself unto the cross, unto a millenia of stubborn humans refusing his gifts, unto the pain of watching those He loves choose what is harmful to them.

Love is a choice. It is a choice to remain faithful even in the face of faithlessness. It is a choice to do what is best for someone else even when it hurts you. In fact, it is those who hurt us the most that we must love the most. The opposite of love is not even hate - but to be indifferent. It is most tempting to write off those who have hurt us, to blot them out, to numb out their existence. I remember once, when I was 12, writing that I had buried a friend in time. I felt like I needed to bury their potential friendship in order not to be hurt anymore. I was better off with my imaginary friends. It remains the same temptation as I cannot keep in contact with all my college friends. I am probably the silliest person in the world to grieve over each wedding that I am not invited to, to grieve over the boys who I will never be able to keep in contact with because there is no room for heavenly love in this world, to grieve over the existence of my continued affection for those who have forgotten me. But that is the way I was made. And so I will echo the love of my God who waits patiently for you to return to His arms... because He is faithful and abounding in love.

"I do not love you lightly. I love you with the weight of glory. Some day you will understand the full sacrifice I made for you. Some day you will understand your own sacrifices. Your wounds will be closed - never to be reopened. For my love has overcome."

The blessing of surrender

Hi Folks!

My facebook status declares I had lessons in boxing and wrestling. There are these things in the hospital called mitt restraints which basically keep confused people from pulling out their IVs, tubes, catheters, surgical staples (oh yes!) etc. Today I got too close to a patient with them on, and she bopped me a good one! It doesn't hurt, but it can be a little surprising. I got really fast at ducking and blocking today. :) Then I was blessed enough to be able to take the last four hours of my day off and go to a Servants of the Lamb prayer meeting... where I traded boxing for wrestling - four little boys. One wanted to pull me into the boys bathroom, one wanted me to pop balloons constantly, two practically pulled off my pants while hanging onto my back pockets and enjoying my "train abilities",  three mistook me for a jungle gym... sometimes all three at once, and all four threw bouncy balls at me. (Lol sorry Mary Ellen... I'm a bit of a hoyden/bad influence!) Quite a satisfactory bout as no one broke any body parts, my pants remained on, and my body remained firmly outside the boys bathroom... :)




Sometimes religion can become a boxing or wrestling match. Either we're trying to knock out the competition and wrestle our way to the top, or we're wrestling fiercely with God over an issue. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to wrestle with God, but eventually, He's going to win - even if He has to break you (ie: wrenching Jacob's hip) in order to bless you. Why do we wrestle? I think it's because we don't trust God. We don't want to be so vulnerable as to have to depend on someone else for our well-being. If we can be on the top of our game, the best in our class, the most popular, or at least NOT the lamest, dullest, or weakest one... we think we're blessed. At the very least, we need some semblance of control. That's why it's so hard to put down our to-do-lists, to have an uninterrupted quiet time, to leave extra work at work. We're sure the world will fall apart if we don't answer the phone, finish our homework, take an extra shift at work etc. We have our "realistic" "worst case scenarios" worked out in our minds. "I'll be fired. I'll fail my test. I'll lose face."

But the truth is, we're all lame, dull, and weak. We are dead in our sin. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves. We may be fired, fail our test, lose face. But God is a good God who provides. If He gave His only son to save us, how can He possibly withhold anything else? So let go. Stop your striving. Makar is a Hebrew word that literally means "to sell" and figuratively means "to surrender" It is used 75 times to refer to selling one's self away. In some instances it means to be given over to death. At times, it may seem a small death to keep still and possibly not do as well on a test, or leave out an activity you love in order to spend more time with God, or give up 10% of your income because it's already so small... but when we stop trying to look out for ourselves, when we die to ourselves - we follow Christ's footsteps and allow Him to fill us. For He died to give us life.

An intresting article by Rabbi Greyber read as follows, "Think about the Hebrew word for blessing - berachah,” – it comes from the same root as “berekh” which means, “knee.” The implication is clear: we can receive a blessing when we bend our knee in acknowledgement of God."(2011,p.3)

So let's hang up our boxing gloves before we get a hip wrenched... let us kneel before a loving God and be blessed richly.

Fasting - Lessons in Trust/Surprised by Joy

Holo! (Name that movie quote!)

Today I was really struck at how fasting brings us to our knees and then draws us back to our feet. On the one hand, you can find your body weak (if fasting from food or drink) or your mind empty (if fasting from the normal entertainments). On the other hand, it is interesting to see how God fills that weakness or emptiness. I find it interesting how quickly I want to turn to a comfort food, book, person, or dream when I am tired or need a break from work. When I take out all that I normally rely on, then I find how truly ingenius God works. Sometimes I wonder if all the time spent on facebook, twitter, romance books, movie watching, computer gaming, was put to coming up with solutions for poverty, dirty water, immunizations, social systems that need changing... heck even national debt! What would happen? How fast could we bring God's kingdom if we actually put our heart, soul, and mind into it. If we trained like Paul - beating (disciplining) our bodies - straining for one goal... I can't imagine what God would do through us. Already he uses our weaknesses. How then would he use our strengths?



Of course, this is not to say one should "try harder" at fasting. I've already mentioned that never works. That's why I think fasting is so interesting. If you make it a non-negotiable habit, and it isn't something enormous; eventually you get used to it. It's not a production, it's just a part of your life. In fact, it becomes less of a sacrifice, either because you realize how much you have to begin with or you realize how much you receive in its absence. As I was driving home, I longed to read a book when I got home in order to relax, but then I was struck by the question, "How will God refresh me instead?" One day, when I would normally have been reading or watching Netflix, I found myself hungry to write poetry. It's been so long since I've felt creative. I suddenly wondered if all the easy entertainment drowns out my true creativity. When I eat my rice for lunch, it's the most delicious thing. I taste so much more deeply - how warm it is, how good it feels in my stomach, how flavorful it is (one would never thing rice was flavorful unless one ate it alone!)

Fasting does two amazing things 1) It builds your faith in a loving good God because it makes one vulnerable, weak, and/or empty. It allows for God to surprise you with good things you never could have imagined. 2) It also allows God to remind you of all that you already have. It helps adjust your eyesight to the little details we so often take for granted.

Hungry for more,
Katie