Day #1

And so the fasting begins! Oh I don't think I mentioned what I was fasting from, I decided upon a 12 hour fast from 8am to 8pm, no food and drink except for water during that period.

For a guy who is fasting for the first time in his life, I reckon I passed... somewhat. Which wasn't to say I was bombarded with thoughts of eating something (ANYTHING!!) just to fill my gnawing stomach, especially as 8pm drew closer and closer. And what a relief it was to finally break fast with food. Even bitter gourd tasted good (okay maybe not, it was terribly bitter but it was food nonetheless.)

Started on Ephesians 1 today, the plan as agreed by our housechurch is to finish reading all 6 chapters of the book each week (1 each day and a summary on the last day), for the entire 6 weeks of the 40 days.

Ephesians 1 talks about "...having predestined us to adoption as sons..." (Eph 1:5), and "...have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him..." (Eph 1:11)

It was clear to me that God has a purpose for each and every one of us, a destiny, and a sovereign plan. But whether or not we are open to his nudgings and whispers, is another story altogether. If we are predestined inheritors of the riches of his grace, but are ignorant enough not to do anything about it, whose fault will that be? It also shows us the heart of our Father God, "...purposed IN himself." (Eph 1:9) - how much more love can a father show than by sending his own son away for the purpose of his creation?

What's more,  "...the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power..." (Eph 1:19)  seems to agree that as long as we believe in Him, his grace is exceedingly and abundantly overflowing for us, but at times we seem reluctant to claim His promises, whether by doubt or by fear, but imperfect as we are, we can only continue to pray that our Father will help our unbelief, to strengthen our trust in Him. I guess we are often caught up in the distractions (yes, the comfortable, meticulously scheduled lives we live, built around deadlines and time and efficiency, often leaves space for little else, hence it is a distraction as well) of the system we live in, that it is sometimes very easy for us to forget that we have His promises to fall back and rely on, now and forever.

A decidedly appropriate start to the 40 days, and I have faith that by the end of this fasting period, there will be change occuring in every one of us, great or small, that God will have left his mark on His children, those who have sought him and sought his voice.

Oh, did I mention I had to resist the urge to grab a snack so regularly it was almost all I thought of during the afternoon (Have to cut down on the bad habit of having a "light" meal every now and then, hmm....)

Prayer : Father God, even as we kick off our 40 days prayer and fasting, we pray you turn our minds away from the nagging thoughts of 'what ifs' and 'wish I coulds' - the distractions our flesh throw at us throughout the day - and guide us to tune into You, to learn to listen for Your voice. We know it is not easy, but we try our best, and we leave the rest up to You, o Lord. We trust in Your plans for our life, for our future, and we pray that even as we open up these spaces during the next 40 days, that you reveal Yourself to us in Your own special way, and as for all the different things we are individually and as a community praying for dear Father, we claim Your promises for them, that Your will be done. Keep us all safe, and grant us a good first night's rest. Amen.