Addition by Subtraction

Addition by Subtraction

As we start a new year and reflect on the year that’s passed, ask yourself these questions:

· Where is my life rooted?

· Am I growing spiritually?

· What is the fruit of my spiritual growth?

· How have I grown since last year?

· How would I like to be different by this time next year?

Hopefully, you have been growing spiritually, but you also identified some areas that you would like to experience more growth, maturity, and fruitfulness. How do you do that effectively? In an effort to improve our lives, we often seek what we can add to our routines and life that would make our life better, but we often fail in those pursuits. Possibly its due to the fact that for most of us, what our lives truly need is, not more, but less! What if you could deepen your life, become closer to that picture of what you wish you were, not by adding more responsibility to an overloaded plate, but by subtracting some thing that might be a distraction.

The bible calls this principle fasting and it was intended to be a regular part of a Christian’s life. When Jesus was asked why his disciples weren’t fasting like the pharisees or the disciples of John, Jesus stated that his followers would fast in his absence (Mark 5:35). A fast generally entailed going a   predetermined length of time abstaining from food, and devoting that time toward prayer, study and reflection. Fasts don’t necessarily have to be    food directed, but everyone can find something they could go without that would result in an exercise in discipline over desire to draw us closer to God.

I want to challenge you to engage in a 14-day fast to start the New Year and let me offer you some suggestions on what you could fast:

· Coffee/Caffeine

· Social Media

· Screen Time

· Hobby (Golf, Fishing, Crafting, etc.)

· Shopping at your favorite store

For the next 14 days, stop feeding on the worldly pleasures in your life and feast on the Spirit of God and watch the fruit that grows!

I Love You,

Jonathan Long