One Desire Fast is HMCC’s annual fast so we can start off the year hearing from God, both individually and as a church. This year’s theme is Locked In.
Take a moment and look back on these past 10 days of our fast. How have you felt? One of the feelings you may have experienced is discomfort. Possibly the discomfort of being hungry in class or during a work meeting. Discomfort in explaining to those around you why you’re participating in a fast. Discomfort in facing your sinfulness and thoughts as distractions has been removed from your life. But in return for the discomfort, your spiritual muscles have been strengthened, channels have been opened up to share about your faith, and opportunities to repent and commune with God have been multiplied.
Is this not the joy of being uncomfortable for Christ? And ultimately, is this not what Jesus commands of us? Matthew 16:24-26 says, “24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
When we seek after our own comfort and our own security, Jesus tells us that we miss out on the life that He has prepared for us. Jesus asks us to consider both options. If we stay within our own desires and comfort, what benefit is that over gaining resurrection life and hope? What joy compares to living for Him and for His purposes so that more may come to saving faith? This should prompt us to consider what kind of investments we are willing to make with our lives. Are we willing to deny ourselves?
When we live in light of eternity and trust in the promises of Jesus, the natural response to this very challenge to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him will be obedience, as uncomfortable as it may seem. Many of our idols, struggles, and strongholds will be revealed through this process. But we trust in God’s sanctification work within us, as Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” This fast has been a training ground. Let’s make this a lifestyle of surrendered obedience. Ask God this week to highlight one area where He invites you to exchange personal comfort for eternal purpose.
To see this call lived out, consider the story of Hudson Taylor, who left the familiarity of England to serve in China. He embraced immense hardship, adopting local dress and customs to share the Gospel in a way that was deeply counter-cultural and uncomfortable. His journey of radical faith and sacrifice led to the China Inland Mission, demonstrating that a life laid down in obedience becomes a seed for God’s kingdom in ways far beyond our own comfort or calculation. Let his example and the Spirit’s prompting move you to take one step of faithful, uncomfortable obedience for Jesus this week!
Reflection & Application
- What are some things that God is prompting you to deny yourself in? Have you surrendered to His will? Why or why not? What is holding you back from complete obedience and surrender?
- What steps of faith do you need to take to continue to be a witness for Him? How is God challenging you to “go beyond your comfort” for His kingdom?
Prayer Requests – HKBU
- Gospel Fluency – For every member to experience the Gospel personally and have a deeper understanding of God’s work in our lives.
- Discipleship – For active discipleship to happen and for people to be eager to invest in others as they experience more of Jesus.
- Next Generation – For our LG to grow a heart of evangelism and actively reach out to the next generation on campus.
Click here for full devotional link and other pre-fasting materials!