Metamorphosis

I'm hearing from a number of people that they're fasting in January ~
for spiritual reasons.  Some are seeking direction or a desired outcome, and others want to become more sensative to the inner voice of The Lord.



In November of 2008 I went on a 52 day fast, and it changed my life.

It all started on a Sunday morning at church when my pastor taught that if we felt "stuck" in our circumstances, we needed to change the way we think.  He referred to the scripture that says, in part, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed  by the renewing [complete renovation] of your mind".

Wow! 52 days, you say.  "How'd you do it?"  Well, it wasn't a fast from food ~ it was a fast from wrong thinking.  

On this particular Sunday I determined I was going to spend extra time every morning fellowshipping with the Father, reading the bible and studying.  I started the next day, and was soon led to the book of Nehemiah.  As you recall, he oversaw the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in 52 days. I knew my fast was to last 52 days.

Interestingly one of the first insights I gained was about finances and the kingdom principle of seed time and harvest.  On  the second day I made the huge decision to close my retails stores, after eighteen years of business. I went to my friend's office and sobbed.  Although I knew it was what I was supposed to do, I was grieving the "loss"and didn't know what to do next or what the future held.  My thoughts ran between excitement, fear, faith, and panic.

Every day I diligently got up extra early and spent time transforming my thoughts (and my words) until they eventually conformed to God's word.  There were many days of wrestling, tears, and doubt ~ but about the half-way mark (as I looked back) I began to see a shift in my thinking and my faith started gaining traction. I began believing for the seemingly impossible.  At the end of the 52 days my heart had been established and there was a wall of protection built around it that no fear, doubt, or unbelief can penetrate.

What I learned during those precious days became the foundation of what I needed for moving out of the old and into the new.   It's kept me anchored, focused, and moving forward.  Today I'm able to say

A heart that trusts forever sings
And feels as light as it had wings
A well of peace within it springs
Come good or ill
Whate'er to-day, to-morrow brings
It is thy will.


I'll be flitting over to Spiritual Sundays