Fasting for Peace and Justice in Gaza | Day 3

Day 3, Seattle, WA - 3:38 AM

So far the cease fire resolution from the UN today has not been sufficient to stop Israel or Hamas militants. It is a step in the right direction, but more needs to happen. The death toll continues to rise:

"John Holmes, a United Nations emergency relief coordinator, said in New York that the three-hour daily pause in the fighting permitted by Israel in Gaza was insufficient. He said the Gaza authorities counted 758 fatalities, among them 257 children and 56 women. The injured totaled 3,100; of them 1,080 were children and about were 465 women."

I don't know why, but the US was the only country in the security council not to vote in favor of the UN resolution to prompt an immediate cease fire in Gaza. It didn't matter as the US abstaining still meant that 14/15 voted in favor, but I feel like we should do something. Even though there are many politics involved, I feel like by our silence, we condone.

Continuing the words of the Prophet Isaiah on the fast God requires:

Is it (fasting) not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Another part of fasting for me has been personal reconciliation. This fast is bringing personal relationships into focus as well. Over the last three days I've had some hard conversations. I've had to over come fear and tell someone I know I hurt that I was wrong and ask for forgiveness and during another conversation I had to tell someone a very hard truth I knew they wouldn't want to hear.

I knew I couldn't just ignore people, but needed to really love them with honesty. Sometimes listening to someone tell how you've hurt them can be tough, but it's necessary for reconciliation. I can't just ignore the wounds and hope they'll go away.

I had more juice today and didn't feel nearly as hungry as yesterday. I still salivate at the thought of any type of food, but the intense desire isn't there as much. I think I'm not producing as much body heat and feel a little colder than usual.

Blessings,

A follower of Jesus