When I was growing up some of my friends went to churches that did a "30 Hour Famine." I thought they were crazy. They starved themselves to raise money for hungry people around the world. I'm a lover of food and wasn't really sure I was cut out to participate. Giving up food for five hours can be a stretch for me, let alone 30. I think I went awhile without food when I had my wisdom teeth out, but you're drugged up and I physically could not eat so it's different than making a decision not to eat. I also don't like to be told I can't do things and it started to motivate me to wonder if I was strong enough to make it. Of course this was more than 10 years ago but in the back of my mind I've always wondered.
Yesterday around 1:30 pm I ate a late lunch (some quality PB&J) and inadvertently started my 30 hour famine. When I really think about it, at first I think it was out of stress and maybe a little pity. Work has been kicking my butt and after a late lunch I wasn't exactly starving for dinner. I also ate the same thing for dinner Sunday and Monday night and more leftovers weren't exactly tempting me. The evening passed and I started wondering how long I could go.
World Vision sponsors the "30 Hour Famine" events and while I've given to them in the past I'm not a current donor. I do think there are so many people less fortunate than we are and not eating made me take a look at the blessings in my life. Thankfully I had work to distract me today but I finished off my own 30 Hour Famine this evening. I didn't really fundraise or do any community service projects but I experienced hunger and I hope I can take the lessons I learned as I continue to grow as a person.
20Jesus looked at his disciples and said: God will bless you people who are poor. His kingdom belongs to you! 21God will bless you hungry people. You will have plenty to eat! God will bless you people who are crying. You will laugh! 22God will bless you when others hate you and won't have anything to do with you. God will bless you when people insult you and say cruel things about you, all because you are a follower of the Son of Man. 23Long ago your own people did these same things to the prophets. So when this happens to you, be happy and jump for joy! You will have a great reward in heaven. Luke 6:20-23
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