NOW: A Spiritual Exercise

[ Posts tagged NOW are recent events that I share nearly immediately after the events take place. This is to avoid confusion with the timeline of events. If you wish to read about my life in chronological order, skip the posts tagged 'NOW' ]

Starting today, the 10th of July 2014, I'm trying out something new that I hope will help me in my relationship with the Lord. 

Fasting was always an act of faith that I could never really understand. I've seen many people who've done it, and those who do it on a regular basis. I thought it was a piece of superstition until I actually started reading the Bible. The Lord Himself says that prayer and fasting is a special combination that can enable one to do great things ( Mark 9:29 ).

But what could be so special about not eating your food ? Well, it is more than just skipping meals. When we keep ourselves from eating, we are denying ourselves something that our body craves for. The fact that we are doing this with the sole reason of pleasing our Lord, makes it special in God's eyes. 

In my life however, food is something that I do not even enjoy much. Even while eating I have a mobile or tab in hand, and my mind explores various things. I wouldn't even remember what I ate for breakfast or lunch on most days. If there is ever a thing in my life that keeps me away from doing what is right in Gods sight it is this technology. I am connected to the internet almost always. And even without a job or any kind of work to do I am a busy body 24x7.

Now if fasting is the denying of what the body craves, what I wish to do is to deny my minds cravings. I am going to stay away from the things that I mindlessly do on my phone, tab or computer keeping myself busy all day. And I am doing this with no other reason, but to get closer to Jesus, and to build a better relationship with Him while I'm stuck in bed.

I don't want to confuse what I'm doing with the Biblical fasting. Spiritually, doing this may not give me the same benefits of fasting the body. Biblical fasting of the body is the only fasting that has promises from God. But I hope that I will come closer to God in the days I spend by fasting my mind.

I fast my mind under the following conditions :

I will not use my mobile / tablet unless it is to,

- read the Bible/ hear sermons/ watch shows that discus the faith/ listen to Gospel music

- respond to elders ( people who you could not ignore ), via mail or msgs if I am contacted. So naturally, I will check my SMS and email. ( these are things I do out of obligation rather than to please my mind. And I hardly ever spend more than 5 mins a week doing this. So I didn't feel it will deter me much. Hence I added it to the list )

- write Christ themed posts, like this one.

- fulfil my parents/sisters requirements, if any. ( like paying bills and stuff. Clearly I'm doing these stuff for them and not to please my mind )

- read the newspaper online. ( I would otherwise read the physical copy. But this is easier. I limit myself to half an hour a day though )

And that's it. Normal days otherwise. But I'm pretty sure it won't be normal for me.

This is how it's gonna be till next Tuesday. A week without the internet.