By Dan Herzig
Sugar free, all-natural peanut butter on whole grain, Ezekiel bread toast….
Currently I am participating in the Daniel Fast along with many at StoryHeights as well as many others in the Christian community.This evening we had very little planned for dinner due to busy schedules and neither my wife, Maureen, nor I wanted to cook.This might normally be an occasion for ordering delivery, however, not this time.After searching the cupboards for something to nourish ourselves, we settled on Ezekiel bread toast with organic, all-natural peanut butter.
This “antitheses of gourmet” meal could have easily turn into a pity party.“Well, I want…, no deserve to have whatever I want for dinner and my darn church is making me do this crazy fasting thing and so I have to sacrifice my rights as an American a human being and a card-carrying member of The Triple-A Auto Club!”Wah, wah, wah!
And I certainly have felt that way at times.On this occasion, however, I was given the gift of clarity from God’s Holy Spirit.I finished my meal, turned to my wife and said, “That was great!Thank you for cooking tonight,” as she had offered to toast the bread and spread the molten nourishment. This time I really felt it in my heart; humbly thankful.
This year while fasting, I am truly taking time to remember God and Jesus’ sacrifice for me.It has made each bite, every meal, more filling, more satisfying and more flavorful.I remember what Daniel must have eaten during his time of fasting; seeds, berries, roots.No avocados?!?
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whatever, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”I can choose to suffer through this fast.Or I can choose to sacrifice with a glad heart to the glory of God.Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to erase the stain of sin brought to our world by Adam; a condition that I am completely guilty in taking part, many a-time with complete happiness and knowledge. Isn’t it appropriate that I allow myself a minor sacrifice in comparison and make it a joyful occasion to do so?
“My dear Heavenly Father, my whole grain toast and all natural, sugar-free peanut butter, was more pleasing to me than any steak or lobster I might have had instead.This is so because of your sweet sacrifice to save me.I thank you for this nourishment to my body.And I thank you for the nourishment that this sacrifice gives to my soul.”
