The Fasted Lifestyle

Voluntarily give up food, money, position, influence and fame so one’s heart can better align to the Word of God.  Sacrifice material gains so one can sit before the Lord praying and listening to Him.  Take less and give more.  Actively pursue the Sermon of the Mount.

This past weekend I just get to know another very influential pastor in China.  When she found out the places that invited me to speak this November, she invited me to speak at her church as well.  Very, very famous pastors go to her church to preach.  He church is safe and very promising.  Who in the right mind will give up a great opportunity like this?  I had to say “no” to her because my leader asked me to commit to the local Chinese community at IHOPKC, which means that I had to limit my travelling schedule.  

Going out there to preach is like a movie star.  People admire you and want you to sign books or CDs or whatever.  Sometimes you get really good pay, nice hotel and first class treatment.  Personally I don't like to travel just because I am terrible at adjusting jetlag and I want to be with my family as much as possible.

Staying here at IHOPKC is quite a different story though.  There seems to be a constant increasing of assignments while a decreasing in manpower and resources, but somehow in the greatest mystery, we get by and get things done.  I pray for more talented coworkers would come and join us, but every time someone does, I wonder why anyone would be so foolish to stay at this place without much pay or benefits.  People are praising us everyday and condemning us everyday.  Everyday when I wake up at this place, I have to face something bigger than yesterday and I constantly feel the challenge of giving out more by taking in less.

The fasted lifestyle is only possible when I encounter Jesus.  When it seems impossible, absolutely weird, crazy, or just flat out way too tiring, I come to the prayer room and ask Him to speak gracious words to me, so I can get out there doing whatever requires of me, not because I can or I want to, but because He can and He wants me to.  And as I go out there, I can feel the confidence of His pleasure over me.