One Way To Get Closer To God
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by Kris Camealy
It was a strange thing, the way the urge to write swelled up within me. I’ve always written, in journals and online (privately), so it didn’t quite make sense the way this urge to write words out loud suddenly started to push and gnaw at my insides.
Ignoring the feeling, I carried on with my usual routine for a few days, but still, the thought wouldn’t budge. The message came, but still, I needed more.
Write. This is your gift.
I needed to hear God on this. I recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice in me and I needed clarity, direction — confirmation. I found a plan on my YouVersion Bible app for a 21 Day Fast. I thought about it, and decided to do it. I’ve fasted weekly for years, so this was not a new discipline for me to practice, but 21 days – -that felt like a long time. I knew giving up food was not a realistic option for me, so I pulled the plug on Facebook.
It was harder than it should have been, but at the time, I was spending a lot of time there and I knew that the noise from that arena was making it hard to hear God.
Fasting is a practice not to be taken lightly. It is a spiritual discipline that requires sacrifice, and for some the sacrifice weighs harder than for others. But fasting isn’t about food. Fasting is about faith. It is about consciously choosing Christ when we want nothing more than to stuff ourselves with that which is temporary.
–Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey of Refinement
Sometimes, we are tempted to think of spiritual practices as irrelevant, or unnecessary. I want to tell you, this is simply a lie from the enemy.
Spiritual practices, like fasting, are entirely biblical and useful.The practice of fasting is important because when we stop doing something, and replace that activity with seeking God, He answers. My favorite encouragement regarding this is found in Jeremiah 29:13, “‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord” (NIV).
When we make a deliberate effort to seek God, He answers. That is the truth found repeatedly in His word. Fasting is a deliberate, focused seeking.
The Lenten season is just around the corner (beginning February 13). If you are familiar with Lent, you know that fasting is often part of the practice of observing Lent. As we reflect on the season of preparation and refinement, we do well to seek God deliberately.
What are you struggling with? What do you need from God? Are you grieving? Does your life reflect mounting tension between yourself and others, or between you and your circumstances? Seek God. Seek Him deliberately. Consider fasting as an act of obedience and intentional worship.
When we enter into a position of humility, when we set aside the distractions to get closer to God, He never fails us. Our hearts are transformed and moved by this active worship, and God hears us and draws closer to us through our confession and repentance as we earnestly seek Him (James 4:8).
Fasting is not easy. The practice requires us to depend on God to sustain us. In our dependance, we find Him willing, waiting, eager to answer our hearts cry. He is moved by the prayers of His faithful people:
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. ( John 14:13-14, NIV)
What I have often discovered during my fasting is that my prayers often change — by this I mean that though I may start off praying for a specific result, God’s spirit often moves my heart to simply seek His will and my prayers shift to being more open to receive whatever the answer is that God would have for me. The answer rarely looks like I imagined — but it is always infinitely better, and at the end of a fast, my heart has been changed to receive His answer as a gift.
My Lenten experience last year was life-changing, and I don’t say that lightly. God renovated my insides in a way I didn’t expect and He clearly spoke to me about sharing the experience with others. In Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey Of Refinement, I walk alongside you as you experience the refiner’s fire. The path to redemption is hard worn. But friends, there is so much grace for you.
Right now, for a limited time, the PDF version of this book is FREE for my newsletter subscribers. There is also a print version available and today, I’m giving a signed copy away to one of you.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As a sequin-wearing, homeschooling, MOPs-coordinating mother of four, Kris Camealy is passionate about Jesus and her family. Her heart beats to share the hard, but glorious truth about life in Christ with anyone who will listen. When she’s not writing, she gobbles up books like they’re going out of print and plays in the kitchen. She’s been known to take gratuitous pictures of her culinary creations, causing mouths to water all across Instagram. Once upon a time, she ran ten miles for Compassion International, a ministry for which she serves as an advocate. You can read more of her heart-words in her new book, Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey of Refinement, and on her blog Always Alleluia. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Kris, congratulations on your book! You spoke such truth when you said, “The path to redemption is hard won.” What a blessing you are to those traveling that path. (And so glad to be on Holley’s GSDT together!)
I would love to win.
I am going to do a computer fast this Lent. Not an entire fast, but a “limited to ten minutes a day” fast. It will be painful, but worth it. I am looking forward to reading that book! 🙂
Excited about reading your book…what a blessing!
I’m don’t have a background that includes Lent so the practice is new to me but I’ve felt God pulling me into something more in our relationship. I’m not very disciplined so the practice of fasting is daunting for me but what is at stake more than outweighs my laziness. 🙂 Thank you for following His lead to write about your experience. Thank you for being willing to share.
Praying for you as you seek his will for you. I know when you get quiet with Him and let Him speak to you, you will come forth fortified in your faith, and encouraged in your journey.
thanks for the chance to win!
This journey sounds so scary to me, honestly. ‘Cause I know there are two things I could ‘fast’ from right now… and they seem like such “needful” things in my life at this moment in time. ={ I’m hoping to be able to (or have my husband, who is way more tech savvy! =) download your book as I know I probably need it more than I even realize! 😉
Please pray God gives me the courage and wisdom to know what I need to let go of so I can let more of Him be my focus! And that I am given that time in the midst of this family life with two tiny people and a very busy college student husband!
Thanks for such a thoughtful giveaway and a sweet blog! I enjoy your posts!
Blessings~
I will be praying for you my friend. You will be amazed at what God strengthens you to do when you seek Him faithfully, without distraction 😉 I have always come away from a fast with a heart nourished by Christ. I know He will do the same for you. He wants to bless you.
look forward to reading this! I have never fasted…since not eating is not really realisric. But I never thought of other ways to fast! Thanks!
Thank you for walking me through the down load last week. I look forward to this Lenten journey with you.
This sounds like a book I really need to read right now…thank you for the opportunity to win!
The writing on your blog is refreshing and beautiful. I would love to win a copy of your book!
This all seems so timely for me. I’ve never observed lent, but I’m hungry for a change in my walk.
Kris~ I appreciate your passion for God and for writing about your journey of faith in Christ. I would LOVE to have a hard copy of your book, but first I am reading the ebook and I am so blessed. It speaks to me right where I am and challenges me to take the next step of faith and commitment to Christ. Thank you for being willing to be vulnerable and share your faith and your fears.
Chris,
I am so blessed to hear that you are enjoying the eBook right now. That is such grace to hear. God is faithful!
I think there are some needs or prayers that God will require some form of fasting…. The disciplines learned in fasting is simple….one must abstain in order to obtain…..
Wow – a lot of this is sounding really familiar. I’ve been thinking some of these same things recently . . . I think it’s time to take them a bit deeper. Thanks for the post!
Hi Kris,
Beautifully said. I’m continueing to be blessed. It’s so comforting having you along with me, through your book, on my journey.
And you know I’d love to have your autograph!
{HUGs} Love Ya, Susie 🙂
Ohhhh, I would love the chance to win a hardbound copy. I still prefer the feel of paper in my hands! 🙂
Me too! I love a printed book. 🙂
This sounds like a very interesting book!
I would love to win a hard copy of this book! I am having trouble with my Hotmail account at the moment, but will download the book as soon as it’s back up!
Looking forward to reading the ebook! Very relevant to my prayers at the moment!
I can’t wait to get a copy of this!!
🙂 Thanks, Stephanie!
I like what you said about God changing prayers to conform to His will. Beautiful.
It’s always been true in my experience, Mandy. Praying for you as you read.
Thanks for this post, Kris. I’ve started reading your book, and I am really enjoying it so far. It is very good.
Alice, I am so blessed by this! I pray God encourages your heart as you read!
Thank you! God bless you too!
this post is beautiful, just like your book. I’m hoping to order my print copy soon. 🙂
Thank you, Natasha. I am so grateful for your encouragement!
Kris, I’m so excited for you to reach the fulfillment of this quest. I can hardly wait to start reading. Lent is something I’ve never observed as a prescribed event. I do, however, love the idea of focusing and preparing for the glorious celebration of the resurrection. I would be honored to have a print copy of your book with your name written in it. Love your heart friend.
Thank you, Amy. Your encouragement means the world to me. Honestly friend, you dont know how you’ve encouraged my heart. Thank you!!
Oh, Kris…book has ministered to me already. I would love to have a bound copy. Your words were meant for me. Love you friend.
What grace, Mary. I am so glad you have found something useful in the book.
HAhahaha! Love it and YES- love to win a bound book. Even though I decided to print out the e-book to curl up with anyway! Can’t wait to start reading it! And consider all presented here. Thank you, Kris. You are a blessing!
This is a wonderful book written by a wonderful woman, whom I’m blessed to call “friend” 🙂
Thank you so much for the chance to win! Looks like a great read.
I love your heart for God, Kris!
Thanks, Sarah! The feeling is mutual!