10 Day Fast

Awhile back I came across a blog post from Mark Batterson explaining how they encourage their church to fast the first ten days of the new year.

The goal is simple: to seek Jesus more than anything else.

Two years ago I fasted food. Although, if memory serves I think I only made it seven days.

Last year I decided to fast coffee for 30 days. I must admit the coffee fast wasn’t really a spiritual fast as much as a personal challenge.

I have been asking myself what would be the biggest sacrifice that I could make at the beginning of 2009 that would cause me to draw nearer to Jesus. It didn’t take long for me to feel pretty certain about what I should do. One problem though, I didn’t want to do it. So I asked my wife what she thought a big sacrifice for me would be…and she confirmed my suspicion.

I will be spending the first ten days of 2009 on a technology fast. Here’s what that means. No blogging. No reading blogs. No twittering or reading twitter. No email. No Internet. No using the iPhone for anything more than making calls.

I have allowed Technology to become the biggest distraction in my life. I’m pulling the plug.

I’m going old school for the first ten days of 2009. I plan on carrying my Bible and Journal and that’s it. If you need me call my assistant or mail a letter.

So expect slower response times from me beginning January 1. For those who anxiously await my twitter and blog updates, I’ll resume contact on jan. 11.

Why would I blog this?? Two reasons. First, so that you wouldn’t think i’m dead. Second, to challenge you to consider sacrifing something as we go into 2009.

Why don’t you ask someone close to you what a big sacrifice would be and the give it up.

Draw near to Jesus and He will draw near to you.