4:58 PM

The aroma from the kitchen reaches my nostrils. It’s 4:58 PM… dinnertime. The first time in the last twenty hours when I’ve noticed my hunger.

I wonder why it has taken so long… this noticing of emptiness. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. I suppose it makes this chosen fast easier, at least when calculated by the clock. But when calculated by intention, not noticing my hunger earlier stymies the purpose—fasting from something in order to take hold of something… Someone.

I know why I’m doing it. I need to notice my hunger. In doing so, I call out for relief. I call upon Him to come. To find me. Meet me. Search me and know me. This is the feeding to satisfy the soul ache within. His are the hands filled with grace. His is the love overflowing with sustenance.

When the stomach is empty, the heart is ready to receive. When the flesh is neglected, the spirit is ready to listen.

I want to be fed, not with food but with faith—a faith that’s been shaken in the last twenty-four hours. What a difference a day makes. Yesterday’s 4:58 was filled with breadsticks and baked ziti. Today’s 4:58 is filled with something greater.

My need. My hunger. My reminder to reach forward. My letting go of something in order to take hold of Someone.

Morning will surely come, and I will break my fast. But until then, I’ll mark the hours with Jesus, and I’ll notice my hunger. And I’ll remember why I need Him so very, very much.

Life will never make sense without Jesus. Maybe next time, I’ll notice my hunger sooner.

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19 Responses to 4:58 PM

  1. How well you capture the essence of fasting here. Stomach empty = heart ready; flesh neglected = spirit receptive.

    As I've been practicing a daily 19 hour fast for about eight weeks, I've been finding the truth of your observations. It's been an amazing journey for me. I travel it with reverence.

    May your find YOUR spirit nourished and soaring as HIS Spirit tends to your most intimate needs, Elaine.

  3. "Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6

    Love you dearly…

  4. Love this! Fasting does not come easy to me, but the benefits….oh, they are so worth the sacrifice. Blessings to you, dear friend.

  5. Shalom Precious one. Thank you for sharing such spirit nourishing words. Love in the LAMB~

  8. Sounds like you've been faced with something pretty tough in the last day or so. Praying for you now, my friend!

  10. I'm fasting now as I read this but only for bloodwork this am and I find myself noticing the hunger because I can't eat–I wish I were fasting for a better reason.

  11. How often I have decided to fast, only to realize it is a half hearted commitment. This is one spiritual discipline I have wanted to make a part of my spiritual journey.

    Thanks once again for making it more understandable, and… do-able, for me.

    Blessings
    Lidia

  12. So precious. Fasting is wonderful. As a diabetic I can no longer fast from food; but there is so many other things I can fast from.

    Thanks for sharing your fasting with us. It is so wonderful to say NO to the flesh and YES to our marvelous LORD.

    Thanks, my friend.

  13. Yes….so good.

    Fasting is something I struggle with. 'Going without' is something I'm not too good at 🙂 But Jesus…He says, "when you fast…" not "if you fast…". I just prayed that He speaks to you during this set-aside time.

    As we talked about on my blog..this fasting thing…it's like working out. Sometimes we have to go without…to grow within.

    You asked what workout program my husband and I are doing? It's called Insanity! The name fits it well! It's very rigorous….but I love it.

    Thanks for the kind words the other day, friend!

    Blessings to you,
    Kate 🙂

  14. LOL… I just watch the first 30 seconds of Insanity's promo video. Nope. Can't do it. Have at it girl! You're my hero. I haven't moved that fast… ever. And now with neuropathy, moving this fast would require a foot transplant first!!! Keep to it.

  15. His Word feeds us so tenderly and completely; and our aromatic prayers pleasantly fill Him and He rejoices over us!

  16. Thank you for sharing these words. For the reminder of needing and longing for even more of what we were made for. Blessings, my friend!

  17. God feeds us better than we ever could. Fasting is a great reminder of how we look to Him for our bread and our water, our lives and the grace we've been given. He is our sufficiency. And yes, that yummy baked ziti comes from Him as well.

    XOXOXO,
    Brenda

  18. Had to read and comment on both blogs to catch up, Elaine. I'm praying the Lord meets you in a way you haven't experienced before. That He gives you an extra measure of strength and peace, and insight into all He has for you, Sweet Sister.

    Love & Blessings ~ Danie

  19. So beautifully written Elaine! It can be all too easy to be consumed with feeding our bodies and yet neglecting our spirit. I want to feed my soul with Him.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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