A Nonfood Fast

Week 30, Wednesday

Liz Traylor

So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only. . . . And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” 1 Samuel 7:4,6 (nkjv)

Giving up food for a period of time was easy. Well, it was easier than the next thing the Holy Spirit impressed upon me to fast: television, movies, and secular music . . . for a week.

I knew it was a challenge from God because it was so against my desire. However, I thought it would be a cinch. Stop watching TV for a few days. Skip the popcorn. Turn off Alison Krauss, Vivaldi, Enya (I have very eclectic taste). I can do this! No problem!

But then I remembered I was going to Dallas for a women’s conference and would be alone in the evenings, staying all by myself. No husband, no ESPN, no news, nothing. I could devour cooking and decorating shows to my heart’s content. I could watch chick flicks galore!

Oh, Lord, why now?

Because I had allowed entertainment to become precious to me. It was too important, almost mesmerizing.

When I entered the hotel room, there it was—the big, beautiful, blank screen. The remote called out, “Pick me up! Press the buttons! Relax! You deserve a break today.” I grabbed the devilish thing and shoved it in a drawer.

For four nights I had nothing for company except my Bible and some Christian music. There was nothing to hinder my focus on the Lord. I struggled, but I persisted. I read Scripture. I prayed and confessed. I sang. Personal worship took on a new meaning and God was so near. Praise flowed. Rest came.

God may not ask you to give up food. He often requires me to fast what I have tended to make an idol, to remove whatever lures me away from absolute worship of Him. Like the Israelites, I have to confess that diversion as sin.

What have you allowed to assume Baal-like qualities in your life? Shopping, gossip, electronics, stinky attitudes, Sudoku? (Yep, I had to give that up for a while too.) Anything—inherently sinful or not—can replace God as life’s nucleus. If He asks, am I willing to fast in order to restore Him to preeminence?

Father, I will give up anything You wish for as long as You require in order to worship You alone. Amen.