Breakthrough Fast 2011 – Days 10 and 11 “Draw Near To God”

It is 6:30A on Wednesday morning (Day 11) as I write this and the third “Snow Day” of the week. The roads are still icy and the temperatures remain below freezing in Atlanta. Schools and businesses are still closed all around the city. And while my family is thankful for this unexpected “winter vacation”, we ALL are suffering from a mild case of cabin fever.

As I get older, I find myself wondering if there is a deeper meaning behind certain events. While I do not profess to be prophetic, I do believe these “snow days” have meaning. Like many of you, I was ready for the New Year. I prepared myself for the fast. My travel schedule for the next three months was set. My 2011 business plans were made. And I was ready to embark on another challenging and BUSY year. But maybe that is the point...I was prepared to be busy but was I prepared to get closer to God?

My reading today brought me to the Letter of James, Chapter 4:8a “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” In a world of “instant everything” and 24 hour access, our patience is short and our schedules are full. Don’t get me wrong, I am going crazy trapped in the house and long for a normal routine. But maybe this time at home was God’s attempt to get my attention. Maybe God is saying, “I’m pleased about your call for the fast but I need you to spend more time in prayer for the salvation of my people. I’m pleased about the launch of The Breakthrough Fellowship on January 23rd but I want you to spend more time in my Word teaching and preaching to my people. I’ve blessed you with a beautiful family and a great career but are you going to worship me like you worship your schedule? Are you going to call out to me like you talk to your friends? Are you as excited about spending time with me like you are about updating your status on Facebook or Twitter? Charles, the winter storm came for a reason. We needed some one-on-one time together. Forget your schedule for a second. Slow down for a minute. Put down the snow shovel for a day. The roads are icy and the office is closed. I know the challenges you face. I know you are anxious about your future. I know you are losing sleep wondering how you going to balance it all. Stop trying to do it all by yourself. Clear your mind. Open up your heart to the nurturing of the Holy Spirit. Release your worries and surrender your fears to me. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.”

I hear you, God. Here I am.

P.S. What is God saying to you?