After 21 days of fasting and praying with my church, unrelated to dieting, I have only lost only 2 pounds. Have you heard of a Daniel fast? Basically you eat Vegan style, no animal meat or animal products like cheese or milk or eggs. As I prayed at the start of this fast, I did not want this to be about dieting. This fast was about drawing closer to God in prayer and apparently God honored that because I did not lose any significant weight.
What I Learned on My Fast
The greatest thing Holy Spirit showed me through this fast is compassion. I was having difficultly finding food that wasn’t animal related and I was burnt out on salads. I was hungry so I listened to a vegan podcast, Food for Thought by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, to get ideas. Colleen said something that really touched me. She said, “if you extend compassion for some but not for others than you don’t extend compassion to any.” Compassion is sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others, all others. You don’t get to pick who or what.
It really hit a chord with me. Jesus said, “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.” Matthew 5:46-47
More Mindfulness
Although I do not plan to convert to veganism at this point, I do intend to eat with greater mindfulness. I will plan my meals, specific times to eat, and I will control my portions. I will eat as close to the food God created in the garden, as possible. I intend to increase my plant based options. I will be mindful of the food I waste and I want to be more compassionate to those who are going without enough food to nourish them while I get to pick and choose which diet I want to adhere to.
This fast has shown me how much our culture relies on meat and animal products for our meals. It’s kind of ridiculous that after centuries of enlightenment humans as a race can’t come up with better plant based nutrition than tofu and salads. I spent the last three weeks trying to create good and satisfying meals without meat and even found where I could eat fast food and not just have a lettuce and tomato salad. It wasn’t easy but I did find a few delicious meals. The hard part wasn’t going without meat but rather going without animal products. You will be surprised how much milk, eggs, and cheese go into our food. Even plant based claims that actually include milk fat or milk sugar.
My Mission To Find Better Food
I am on a mission to find out what kind of plant based meals are being served around the world. I plan to incorporate plant based meals throughout the week, concentrate on whole foods, fruits and vegetables, and eliminate additives like HFCS and sugar as much as possible. I will plan my meals and eat at the same times every day. My goal is not only to lose the 20 pounds I gained last winter plus 20 more, but to strengthen my abs, arms, and legs and stretch my back and legs. I plan to build up my endurance especially on the bike and in the pool. I plan to be more mindful of everything I put in my body.
My Mission is to Be More Compassionate
But more than all of that, I plan to be compassionate. At one time I thought compassion was a gift that I just didn’t get. The truth is the compassion of Christ is in me and it is my choice to awaken that characteristic as Holy Spirit guides me to. I pray that Father will awaken his compassion for the hungry and malnourished people and animals and show me how to reach out to them in love and kindness and awareness.
Don’t Send Them Away Hungry
“Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” Matthew 15:32