Fasting from Fast

Well, everybody, it's that time of year again, it's the start of Lent. Today marks Fat Tuesday and in less than an hour the fasting will begin. Generally this time comes with different denominations giving up something of the Earth to grow closer to God. Traditionally those who practice Lent will give up meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every other Friday in the Lent season. However Lent seems to be taking a more modern turn in which you simply, "fast," from something you commonly indulge in.

In previous years I have participated in Lent and given up things like television, social media, and even pizza (considering it was my freshman year of college, that one was surprisingly quite difficult.) After quite a bit of thinking I have made a decision on this year's journey.

For forty days I will be fasting from fast food and fast food restaurants.

Now I know what you may be thinking, what does fast food have to do with your journey with God?? This question is honestly pretty reasonable, I myself was wondering how this Lent would go. Seeing as to how I eat fast food at least once a day, I should probably lay off anyways, but I decided to take the fasting one step further.

As I'm fasting from fast food, I not only decided to lay off the food itself, but also the whole idea of quick living. We go through a drive through because we're too busy sprinting through our daily lives to truly appreciate the moment. On my journey through Lent I have decided to spend more time with God, and people, in order to live in the NOW and see things as they really are. Before each meal I plan on praying a simple prayer, I want to take the time to thank God for the food he has given me, the people he has given me to share with, and the time he has given me to eat a healthy meal. I'm hoping that this journey will open my eyes to my many blessings that God has given me, it will help me be present in life, celebrate with those around me, and it will help me find a new appreciation for all that God is doing every day of my life,

In addition to the more religious efforts, fasting from fast food was also a health conscious decision. God has given me a healthy body and a scholarship to run, I find that filling it with fast food every day has given me a lack of self confidence and a sort of disrespect for this body I have been given.

My end goals for this Lent season are to help my overall health, I plan to work on my mental health, my physical health, but most importantly my spiritual health. I'm fasting from the fast paced lives we live to be more present for God and myself. To finish this post off, before I go to bed, I'd like to leave you with a few verses.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 

19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 

20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

These verses, to me, are my mission statement for Lent, Ecclesiastes 5 talks about how everything is a gift from God, from our eating, to our labor, to our wealth, I plan to be more present with his gifts, as well as the life he's given me. 

Happy Lent Everybody!! 

Perfect Plan

I woke up today with one thing on my mind, race day, I had packed up my bags with shoes, socks, extra snacks, and even homework that needed to be done. I was anxious, to say the least. I always get nervous this time each meet day but somehow today was different. 

My Mom had texted me to ask if we were still going, the roads were pretty slick and 25 crashes had been reported on the interstate we were meant to be traveling. The road was down to one lane and traffic was moving very slowly. As far as I knew we were still going to the meet and would be leaving shortly. The last thing I remember her saying before leaving was, "be careful," and the last thing my Dad had sent me was, "Love you to the moon and back! Prayers for safe travels." I guess with the road being so bad they were both a little worried about sending me on my way. 

While it seemed we were still going to the meet, I couldn't help but worry myself about what would happen if we were to get caught in traffic or even worse, in an accident ourselves. It's so easy to get caught up in the what-ifs and show a little apprehensive for the unknown. However, I think God had a different plan for our day. 

Our bus was supposed to arrive at school at 9:40 and we were supposed to board the bus at 9:45. With bags in hands we were all waiting anxiously for our carrier to the meet. 9;40 came, and no bus had arrived. 9:45 came, and once again, the bus did not. At around 10:05 we finally hear something about the bus... the company had gotten our date wrong and ended up not sending the bus for our meet.

A few of my fellow teammates were mad and upset, while some were happy and relieved. Myself, I was in awe, a little shocked at what had just happened. Just minutes before my parents had been praying for safe travels and I had been worried about the roads ahead. I had no idea on what would happen if we were to travel today, but I do know that things happen for a reason.

Perhaps this was God showing us he had better plans. Maybe this simple mistake was actually God keeping us at home where we were safe. We will never know what would've happened if we were to travel today, but there's comfort in knowing that things happened exactly as they were meant to be.

Ephesians 1:11-12 says 

11: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12: in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (NIV)

What a reassuring touch God has given through those verses. God has a plan which he has predestined for us. He knows when things happen, why they happen, and whom they will happen to. It is with that reassurance that we must go forth without worry, we must trust in him, and he will provide us with safety and comfort, even in times when the future is unknown.

While I may not have gotten to compete today, I have been humbled, I have been blessed, but most importantly I have been saved. I've been saved from my own worry, I've been saved from not knowing, and I've been saved by the grace of God, and for that I am thankful.

Today I am thankful for man's mistake which turned out to be a blessing.

Today I am thankful for God's continuous love and purpose.

Today I am thankful and I will give him praise; Praise for a purpose, praise for a future, and praise for a perfect plan which has been laid out for me.