We’ve just arrived back in
Colorado after our two-month road trip.
In reflection, I think this trip may have been more of a spiritual field
trip in preparation for something the Lord is trying to teach me. I’m asking for patience as I sit and ramble
some, only because the thoughts that are running rampant through my brain
haven’t yet been processed. I still need to put them together in one cohesive
unit. In this sense, I’m probably a bit
premature with this blog, but everything seems to coincide with the study I’ve
been digging into on being a Jesus-follower and fasting.
Colorado after our two-month road trip.
In reflection, I think this trip may have been more of a spiritual field
trip in preparation for something the Lord is trying to teach me. I’m asking for patience as I sit and ramble
some, only because the thoughts that are running rampant through my brain
haven’t yet been processed. I still need to put them together in one cohesive
unit. In this sense, I’m probably a bit
premature with this blog, but everything seems to coincide with the study I’ve
been digging into on being a Jesus-follower and fasting.
First may I say, my country
is truly beautiful from “sea to shining sea.”
I thoroughly enjoyed every breath-taking minute as we traversed this
land, eyeing the landscape from the mountains to the valleys to the Eastern
shoreline and back. What a miracle that
God chose to allow me to be born here in the midst of diversity and
freedom. I do not take that for granted. I live in a land filled with resources – a
land of plenty. However…
is truly beautiful from “sea to shining sea.”
I thoroughly enjoyed every breath-taking minute as we traversed this
land, eyeing the landscape from the mountains to the valleys to the Eastern
shoreline and back. What a miracle that
God chose to allow me to be born here in the midst of diversity and
freedom. I do not take that for granted. I live in a land filled with resources – a
land of plenty. However…
I began to see my country in
a new, and, I’ll admit, frightening way when we returned from Kenya. Prior to our flight across the big pond, many
of our family and supporters asked if we were fearful to go because of the
recent terrorist attack on a Nairobi mall.
It never crossed my mind that this might deter us from going. No, I was not intimidated. Yet, when we returned to the US, our government
had been through a chaos-driven two-week shut down, our national leaders seemed to be more divided
than ever, Americans seemed to be battling their fundamental rights, and our
president stood in front of the cameras speaking what some were calling
“mis-truths” (a pretty way of avoiding the word “lied”). As we caught up on homeland news, my heart
felt dread-full-heavy. We seem to be on
the brink of disaster. Unless someone
steps on the brakes, we could easily be driven off a cliff…
a new, and, I’ll admit, frightening way when we returned from Kenya. Prior to our flight across the big pond, many
of our family and supporters asked if we were fearful to go because of the
recent terrorist attack on a Nairobi mall.
It never crossed my mind that this might deter us from going. No, I was not intimidated. Yet, when we returned to the US, our government
had been through a chaos-driven two-week shut down, our national leaders seemed to be more divided
than ever, Americans seemed to be battling their fundamental rights, and our
president stood in front of the cameras speaking what some were calling
“mis-truths” (a pretty way of avoiding the word “lied”). As we caught up on homeland news, my heart
felt dread-full-heavy. We seem to be on
the brink of disaster. Unless someone
steps on the brakes, we could easily be driven off a cliff…
So, this brings me back to
the book of Matthew, and Jesus teachings about fasting. Remember, he talked about “when” we fast, not
“if” we fast. Jesus assumes we will fast
as a Jesus-follower. My initial thoughts
were that those who walk as Jesus walked do so because they want more of Him
more than they want to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. I still think this is so, but there’s more to
fasting…
the book of Matthew, and Jesus teachings about fasting. Remember, he talked about “when” we fast, not
“if” we fast. Jesus assumes we will fast
as a Jesus-follower. My initial thoughts
were that those who walk as Jesus walked do so because they want more of Him
more than they want to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. I still think this is so, but there’s more to
fasting…
In seeking more commentary
from the Word on this subject, I’ve read Isaiah 58, Joel 1, Daniel 9, Zephaniah
1, and Nehemiah 1 (I invite you to read those chapters). Fasting and crying out
(loudly!) were a commonality. Fasting
and confession always went hand in hand…not just personal confession, but,
often, on behalf of the NATION. When
Joel called for a solemn assembly, he called for fasting and confession of
Israel’s corporate sin – even so, the prophet Zephaniah. When Nehemiah and Daniel fasted, they wept
for their own sinful hearts, yes, but the bulk of their prayers were on behalf
of their homeland. The Lord, speaking
through Isaiah, instructed the Israelites in how to fast properly in order that
this nation might be led by Righteousness and protected by the Lord, as their
Rear-Guard.
from the Word on this subject, I’ve read Isaiah 58, Joel 1, Daniel 9, Zephaniah
1, and Nehemiah 1 (I invite you to read those chapters). Fasting and crying out
(loudly!) were a commonality. Fasting
and confession always went hand in hand…not just personal confession, but,
often, on behalf of the NATION. When
Joel called for a solemn assembly, he called for fasting and confession of
Israel’s corporate sin – even so, the prophet Zephaniah. When Nehemiah and Daniel fasted, they wept
for their own sinful hearts, yes, but the bulk of their prayers were on behalf
of their homeland. The Lord, speaking
through Isaiah, instructed the Israelites in how to fast properly in order that
this nation might be led by Righteousness and protected by the Lord, as their
Rear-Guard.
Here’s why I think I was sent
on a field trip across the US (well, one of the reasons…): God is calling me to
instill fasting as a regular rhythm of discipline on behalf of my country. It’s one thing to see our country in snippets
and another to see it in its entirety within such a short time frame. I found myself falling in love with America
in a way I had never loved her before.
As I fell in love with her, my heart ached for her. She was birthed out of worship for God
(religious freedom echoed out of the hearts of those who colonized her). We are following a dangerous path that leads
us away from our foundational heritage.
Our two-week trip out of the country also intensified these truths. I have sensed my Lord asking me, “Do you love
your country enough to pray and fast for her, confessing on her behalf, seeking
Me to lead and protect?”
on a field trip across the US (well, one of the reasons…): God is calling me to
instill fasting as a regular rhythm of discipline on behalf of my country. It’s one thing to see our country in snippets
and another to see it in its entirety within such a short time frame. I found myself falling in love with America
in a way I had never loved her before.
As I fell in love with her, my heart ached for her. She was birthed out of worship for God
(religious freedom echoed out of the hearts of those who colonized her). We are following a dangerous path that leads
us away from our foundational heritage.
Our two-week trip out of the country also intensified these truths. I have sensed my Lord asking me, “Do you love
your country enough to pray and fast for her, confessing on her behalf, seeking
Me to lead and protect?”
Even though, honestly speaking, inside I dread the thought of this spiritual practice; because I want to be a
Jesus-follower, to walk where he has walked, to train for righteousness, my
heart is saying, “Yes, Lord.”
Jesus-follower, to walk where he has walked, to train for righteousness, my
heart is saying, “Yes, Lord.”