Matthew 7:24-25, “Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn’t fall because it was firmly set on bedrock.”
If you’ve been fasting with us this month, I want to wish you a Happy Breaking Fast Day! Hopefully your fast has been fruitful, and you’ve experienced God’s presence in your life in a unique way. I find that during times of fasting I tend to hear God better, act with more wisdom, and just walk more closely with God. Maybe you’ve established some healthy routines this month that you may even want to adopt as part of your regular life rhythm.
For me, fasting this month has been a powerful reminder of how important it is to be grounded in God, like the wise builder in Matthew 7. As I was driving home from Willowdale yesterday, I found myself in the middle of the intersection of Sheppard and Yonge as I was making a left turn. This is one of the most busy intersections in North York, and at around 3pm it was absolutely chaotic. A large cluster of pedestrians were crossing the street, cars were turning right and going straight, and a long line of vehicles were lined up who had just exited the 401. However, amidst all of this chaos, I was listening to some worship music by Laura Woodley. It was the most peaceful, calming, and serene soaking music that I had in my library, and I felt close to God as I listened quietly in my car. This experience was a good image of what January has been like for me.
Last month was absolutely crazy. I began full time work at Lifespring, I moved into a new home, my dad was admitted to the hospital, and I received news about challenges that were happening with close friends. January was nothing short of chaotic. At times, I felt like I was just running from one place to another, trying to take care of all the responsibilities and people that were in my care. Life was like sitting in the middle of the intersection of Sheppard and Yonge. Things were happening around me so quickly that were completely out of my control, and I was just trying to keep up.
However, in the middle of all this activity, I was also able to experience some amazing moments of peace with God. Fasting kept me close to God, and was a reminder that God was with me. Many times when I was in the car, I would listen to soaking music, and was so aware of God’s presence and hand at that moment. I also took heart knowing that so many at Lifespring were praying for me and my family. Those prayers gave me strength and a sense of peace amidst the chaos.
A few weeks ago when I served as an MC for Sunday worship, I saw a picture that spoke into my circumstances. I saw an anchor that was sitting at the bottom of the ocean, firmly stuck in the sand. The function of an anchor is to keep a boat in place, especially when there is a risk of a boat just drifting away. Fasting this month has been like an anchor for me. It kept me grounded in God amidst the waves that wanted to push me in every direction. Fasting helped me to not drift away with the tide, but to remember that in every situation, that God is my hope and the bedrock of my life.
Sitting in the middle of Sheppard and Yonge yesterday, I was surrounded by chaos. But at that same moment, I was so at peace with God as I sat in worship. I even took a second to close my eyes, and acknowledge God’s presence and peace with me (yes I know, bad driving). I hope that today, in the middle of whatever you are facing, you can take a moment to stop, even for a few seconds, and remember that God is your hope and anchor. That perspective makes all the difference in the world.