Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone

 
Fasting is often a solitary practice.  I have fasted many times and in sundry ways and the one thing that stands out in my mind is the loss of conversation and connection at the table.  My wife and I stop eating together because it is at home where fasting is the most difficult.  As long as I am active and busy and away from the refrigerator then I am not tempted to check and see what there is to eat.  Our evening usually include some early evening snack like popcorn or chips and dip so fasting interferes with that connection.  We become single adults living together during a fast and the connection is sorely missed.

While on my present fast I have went to a restaurant  with friends and attended a church fellowship meal.  I had some unsweet peach tea at the restaurant, and nothing at the church dinner, all the time talking and listening to those who enjoyed every bite of their meal.  Difficult? Not really.  Enjoyable?  Not at all.  There is something about the connection we make at the table that is satisfying.  Good food and good friends-they just go together.  Can you even imagine cooking a lavish meal, a great big spread of food, and then sitting down to eat by yourself?  No we cannot.  How many times do single people complain that it is difficult to cook for one?  This is part of the problem of fasting.  Meals are truly meant to be shared and this is what is missing when I fast.  The connection over the meal.  The celebration of life which occurs around the table.  The joy of consuming God’s provision is felt when we gather around a table.  

On the other side of this dilemma is the truth that fasting should bring one closer to God.  In this season of fasting I have found that this is the case.  I am praying more.  Searching more. Sensing his presence more.  I am asking God some specific questions of which I don’t yet have the answer, but I believe I will hear his voice. This is one reason that I fast, it is necessary to clear the table and sit in solitude and wait for the Lord to speak.  His voice is more important than our daily bread.  This is why Jesus told the devil, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that come from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

 

One Response to “Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone”

  1. kyle says:

    I applued your strength to do this. I have in the past gone three days, but feel no answer from God. I was asking speak in toungs. It is a gift God gives and I can’t earn, lesson learned. But I do feel I need to so I can imagine how Christ suffered for us. Every time hunger pains hit, I think of Christ’s pain. In this way I feel refreshed on how my sins infect all, not just me. I thank you pastor

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