Hi SUM family, Ann here!

 

Many of you will know Vidya Rodney, who sends us lovely guest posts for the blog. Today she has shared a little about how the community fast in January went for her. It's a good thing to reflect back on a fast after the event. Once we have recovered, that is! Now, over to Vidya: --

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"This was my very first time fasting no solid foods for a whole week.

 

I had been looking forward to this corporate fast, as I believe in the power of community. So I made sure to pray weeks before on this. And I knew I needed to be realigned with God.

 

When the fast began, I started to hear lies that I wouldn't be able to do it. However, I started declaring "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).  I kept declaring that when I wanted to eat solid food. My refrigerator was filled with all the delicious foods you can think of, but I was determined to remain steadfast.

 

Anyway, the Lord led me on day two to Isaiah 58:6-7 which tells us all about fasting. You can read chapter 58 for yourself. But see scripture below:

 

“ (6) Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?

(7) Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood" (Isaiah 58:6-7)

 

Now look at verse 7. Right away, 'feeding the hungry' stood out to me. So there I was pondering how to do this and, of course, asking the Lord.

 

Now mostly when I do groceries almost every month, I buy extra groceries and give to my local church who sets up blessing bags to give to the homeless. And I did make my husband aware of this, since he is against giving money to church. I am sure many of you face this challenge as well.

 

But after reading that verse, I was led to a Christian friend of mine who has an organization that feeds and finds shelter for the homeless. She posted on Facebook that there was a homeless mom who has four kids and lives in her car. My Christian friend was raising funds to help this mom get put up in a hotel room since she couldn't find shelter, and this mom needed food and other donations until she could get a job.

 

Now my flesh did not want to, but I know the Lord placed it on my heart to give. Apart from that, I also remember Pastor Jenezten Franklin's book on fasting talks about giving to the poor as part of fasting. So I was determined to be obedient.

 

I had some money I had received for Christmas. My Mom and I came together with some cash and I also bought some extra dried goods. I spoke to my husband about the grocery part and he seemed ok with it. So I went ahead.

 

I went into this fasting with a mindset of intentionally hearing from God and that was what he led me to do. I'm thankful that I was able to contribute to this mom who was in need of help. It breaks my heart when people are homeless and I pray in the future I may be able to do more of this.

 

I'm not looking forward to rewards for these acts, but I want to know that when I do meet Jesus, he will say "Well done, faithful servant" and I'm quite sure I'm building my home he has for me in Heaven, as every single thing we do for the Lord is counted. 

 

My friends, this is indeed a very hard season for me, but my hope and trust is in God our Father that he is going to finish what he started in me in Jesus' name (Philippians 1:6). Amen and Hallelujah!

 

I pray this story inspires you all.