A First Fast

Every Wednesday this semester we feature reflections and stories written by some of our Catalyst interns. Today's post is written by senior Sarah Gipson:

I’ll admit, when Gregg and Omar suggested that we fast as a Community, I was not thrilled. In fact, I had a horrible attitude about it. Having never fasted before, I felt as though it should be a decision that I chose to do – not something that was asked of me.

After griping a bunch to my friends, I read a chapter about fasting in the book “Soul Feast” and met with Omar during our weekly mentoring time, and he explained some of the aspects of fasting to me. We talked about how I could still be a part of fasting with the community based on the physical need for food my job as a swimming instructor requires of me. He suggested that I simply fast lunch, and eat a small meal before I had to go teach at the pool that evening.

My attitude had improved much by this point, but still not probably where it needed to be. It’s interesting how God works. I’d made all these excused why I couldn’t even try it, and lo and behold, those things slowly started melting away. My last swimming lesson of the evening got moved ahead and hour and my lifeguard training for that evening got cancelled. I was starting to get the hint. Maybe this could be a way for me to branch out a little in my faith. I was going to give it a try.

Thursday morning came. I ate breakfast just as Omar had suggested. Then came lunch time. This semester I’m supposed to have a standing lunch date with my best friend Kelsie on Thursdays, and when she asked if I was free, I had to decline. Then I got a second lunch invitation. I definitely felt like I was being tested. But I stuck it out – and made it through lunch! Alright… I was doing okay. But then… my stomach started to growl… lots. I had some fruit juice in my bag, and so I decided to drink it… and boy did I. I chugged it. Big time. Enter defeat here.

After I got home from class that afternoon, I ate my small meal as Omar had suggested. I felt as though I had missed the whole point of the fast. When I got to the Wesley Chapel that night and shared in a meal with my fellow interns, I felt as though I was the biggest Fasting Faker of them all! None of them had eaten ALL DAY, and here I had eaten twice!

So what have I learned? Honestly, like a lot of things, I’m just not sure yet. Maybe the whole point was for me to be stretched out of my spiritual comfort zone a little. To try something other than reading a few verses in my Bible and writing in my prayer journal… Maybe my time was supposed to be spent thinking of those who go without meals daily, and are thankful when they are blessed with an opportunity to eat. I’m really not sure… but I do know that God will reveal it to me in such a personal way that only I can understand – He’s pretty good at that.