Christ's Place: 21 Day Fast

I'm convinced that the designers of the game "Don't Break the Ice" didn't actually have preschoolers when they thought of the game. It takes a large amount of time to set up each little block of ice, which has to be set just so, so that none of them falls out. This set up, at least in my house, is always accompanied by the intense "Hurry Mommy!" squeal coming from my preschooler. Then, after all that set up, it only takes said preschooler about 30 seconds to demolish the board with that little plastic mallet, sinking the polar bear, and requiring adult assistance (aka: ME) to set it up all over again. After about ten times into playing this game with my daughter, I began to wonder how many more times she would desire to play with me before she got bored and I could stop putting those little pieces of ice in place. But, after each game when I'd ask, "Do you want to play again?" She'd smile wide and say "Yes!" And I'd look at that smile, the one that melts my heart, and I'd quickly set it all up again just to watch her uninhibited delight when I handed her the mallet and said, "Okay, you're turn!"

I sometimes wonder about the things God sets up for me over and over again, hoping that I will squeal with joy and delight at the prospect of getting to spend time with Him. He is a patient parent who doesn't mind calling me again and again, or inviting me again and again to be with Him. He does it every morning when I start my day. "Child, come spend some time with me. There is something in my Word I'm longing for you to see." He does it in the evenings before I'm too tired to listen. "Daughter, come spend some time praying about the things that brought you joy today and the things that caused you concern. I want to talk with you."

Fasting is one of those invitations that the Lord just keeps sending me to draw closer to Him. It's an invitation to look at how I've structured my life, and then consider restructuring it to get some more time in with a Parent who delights in my delights. The truth is, I'm most satisfied after spending time with a Parent who loves me, truly sees me, truly knows me, and truly desires good things for me. Nothing can fill the void of spending time with my Father, just as nothing can replace the one-on-one time I spend with my own child. No food, or beverage, or social media, or other want in my life can replace the need to know God and be known by Him. I'm willing to lay it down and say yes to what God has set up for me. You, brother, you sister, are willing, too, or else you wouldn't be on this journey.

And it will be trying at times. It's easy to say no to things we usually say yes to until the day gets hard, and life presents its challenges. It's easy to feel compelled to draw near to this God who is ever orchestrating the details of our lives so that we will know Him (Acts 17:26-27), when we sit in church with like-minded people and hear encouragement from our Pastor, but when we wake up Monday morning and there's work, and real life, and real issues, it can be more challenging. But, God, who invited us to this time with Him, will not abandon us. In fact, there is no place you can go where He will not be. And oh, I'm anticipating such joy! Such squeals of delight as we see what God has prepared for us in these 21 days and beyond! Stay encouraged, dear ones. All that God has in store is worth answering His invitation.

- Latrice Ingram