The Facebook Fast

Before I begin, I feel that I should add this disclaimer: I did not write this to endorse NewSpring. In fact, I must admit that I happen to find some of Pastor Perry's frequently bold statements very off-putting; nonetheless, I've decided to start visiting the church (for numerous reasons which I'll be glad to discuss with you if you're curious), and I have been getting a lot out of the services. So if you're one of my many, many friends/acquaintances/family members who are still not really into NewSpring, please put aside your preconceived notions. After all, the church itself is not the intended focus of this blog. It just happens to be the place that God chose for me to be when He challenged me tonight.

Having said that...

Tonight I attended NewSpring Church for the fifth consecutive week (give or take). They are wrapping up a series called "Practical Atheists," which has had me particularly convicted on several counts. I especially appreciated tonight's message (minus the coarse language, but I'll discuss that another time as not to take away from the reason for posting this), in which Pastor Perry Noble encouraged the church to reach out to people who need Jesus. He reminded us that the people in our lives are not there by accident. If we know someone who doesn't know God, that's no accident either. Maybe God placed us in their lives, and them in ours, because we are the only person capable of touching them in a way that leads them to Christ.

There are two people whose names have been on my heart for a couple of months now. They don't know God, and I happen to know that neither of them are regularly surrounded by people that do. I might be their only chance at salvation. I know I have to talk to them, but I have been putting it off for fear of seeming judgemental or hypocritical. Maybe I'm also a little afraid that I won't have answers to all of their questions. I'm afraid I'll screw this up and that I'll ruin the one opportunity I had to bring either of them to Christ. It's a delicate situation, and I've been afraid to handle it.

Perry reminded us that it is not our fault if someone does not receive Christ. All we can do is work on the person's heart, but ultimately, it is their decision to seek a relationship with Christ. ("You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"). Furthermore, we aren't really called to do anything alone. My words alone may not be powerful enough, but with God, all things are possible. With God, who I should ask for the right words, the right timing, and the right amount of compassion, I might just be able to save a life. I just have to pray that His will be done, and understand that it has been, no matter the outcome.

At the end of the service, Perry had us write down names of people that God had placed on our hearts. I felt like this message was made for me. These two people immediately came to my mind again, and I wrote them down. As I was leaving, I was burdened by the names I did not write down. I decided I'd write them down when I got home, and that I'd pray for them all week as well. (The challenge was to pray for these people all week and to beg God to shed light on us so that we can be the witness He has called us to be to these non-believers).

I could not be more excited about this. I really felt like I needed to be challenged to do this. I've been putting it off for too long, and a weight is being lifted off of my shoulders now that I have decided to trust God to guide me in talking to others about Him.

But what does this have to do with a 24-hour facebook fast, you might wonder. Perry had asked the congregation to participate in a 24-hr fast from something that they love, and I was thinking about the animal sacrifices in the OT, and about how something pure had to be sacrificed to save someone who was impure. I cannot offer myself as a sacrifice for a couple of reasons: My heart is naturally wicked, for one, and because Jesus became the eternal sacrifice when He died on the cross for our sins. Still, I am fasting from facebook as a symbolic sacrifice of someone whose life I'd like to save.

I decided that I'd "fast" from something each day for the people that I'm praying for this week. Two people have been on my heart for a while, but three more people came to mind today. For each of these five people, I will dedicate one day this week. I will pray for this person, I will sacrifice something that I love to symbolize my dedication to this person's salvation.

For my "Day One Person," I am giving up facebook. I'll keep you guys posted throughout the week on what else I decide to give up. (I laugh at myself as I read this...I make it sound as if I have a million followers-ha!) If this is something that will encourage you as well, I'd like to invite you to join me. If it's not, I'd still ask that you join me in praying for the lost, and for the continued strength and faith for the found.

I'll end with the verse that spoke to me tonight:
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

'Night guys! See you on facebook at approx. 12 am tomorrow!! :)