Accidentally eating carrots is kind of awesome.

I'm currently chowing down on a delicious piece of cheese, mushroom, and green olive pizza while trying to figure out what to tell you about my two-day fasting experience. And let me tell you, this homemade pizza is something else. Brian Janssen's one of the best cooks around. Hands down. Although Susanne Janssen gives him a run for his money every time she makes something, too.

On to fasting...

To say I never felt a deep ache in my stomach during my two days of fasting would be a lie.

Moreover, I'd have to say that that ache was constantly there, at least after about six or seven hours in it was.  Because, the realization I think I came to is that fasting truly shows us how human we are.  Throughout my two days, I was constantly reminded of my imperfections and sinfulness.  When I was reminded of that, my thinking turned into the awesome realization of just how GREAT God is.  I struggled through two days of fasting, and to be honest, I didn't even totally succeed.

On Thursday evening, I was babysitting and there was this amazing looking carrot cake sitting on the island in the center of the kitchen.  Most of it was gone, but there were a smattering of crumbs scattered about on the glass place on which the large remaining piece sat.  Without giving it a second thought, I grabbed a large chunk of the crumbs and popped it in my mouth.  The instant the rich, cream cheese frosting hit my tongue, I realized what I'd done.  No one but a three-year-old and infant were around, but if witnesses had been there, I'm guessing they would have described my facial expressions following the incident as confused followed by extreme horror followed by sorrow.

I screwed up.

To make it worse, I was driving back to Dordt from Walmart with a friend after buying supplies for a Res Life event that night.  My friend had bought some carrots for herself and must have been hungry because she pulled out a huge carrot stick and started chomping away. I love carrots. I do.  I also have terrible vision, so I probably should have loved them more as a child, but regardless, as a 21-year-old, they might be one of my favorite foods. That said, here's the conversation that followed:

"Ooo! Mary! May I have a bite?"
"Sure!"
"Great"
(CRUNCH, chomp, chomp, crunch)
"CRAP! I'm fasting!"
"Oh! Yeah, shoot. You are!"

Fortunately, the conversation got better as I told Mary how I'd done the same thing the day before but then realized that these slip-ups simply remind me that 1) I'm human and thus sinful, and 2) only God is completely powerful, perfect, and in control.  As a matter of fact, I'm kind of glad that I messed up for those very reasons.

*   *   *   *   *

At the end of my two days of blogging, I think the greatest thing I realized is that I don't need something like fasting to remind me of how important and loving God is, and I especially don't need to be fasting to have an 'excuse' to spend more time in God's Word. 

During normal meal times, I would pull out my Bible and spend time in reflection and prayer.  When my stomach hurt especially much, I would do the same.  Spending time with God didn't make me feel full like breakfast, lunch, dinner, or various snacks in between would.  Spending time with God didn't taste delicious in my mouth.  It didn't satisfy the pain in my stomach.  

However, fasting from food and replacing that time (and many other times) with spiritual growth and time with my Father filled me with awe, gratitude, and eternal joy.  Replacing thoughts of food with thoughts of God tasted delicious in my heart and soul.  God satisfied the pain in my heart.  He filled me, no, He consumed me with His beautiful words of lovingkindness.

"How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure. That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure."

So, if you haven't fasted? Give it a try.  You'll be hungry, I guarantee it.  Your stomachs going to ache every now and then and it will probably be uncomfortable sometimes.  However, the knowledge God will give you, the love He will fill Your heart with, the spiritual food you'll be filled with.. it's entirely worth it.  This world is not our own; we are not created to be comfortable here.

"For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." -Philippians 3:18-21