Do you fast as a part of your faith observances? Is it the fast that I have chosen? The default assumption is that faith practices involve self-denial and afflicting your soul. Yet I have spoken to this matter with great emphasis. I don’t want your self-afflictions as much as I want your love, compassion, and generosity to others. There are many ways to fast that don’t require giving up all food. Some abstain from chocolate or everything except fruits and vegetables. This same concept can be extended beyond food to include activities, and it can be further extended to include positive acts rather than abstinences. What actions can you take to become more thoughtful, considerate, and compassionate toward those around you? 

You speak of my presence and seek it out for good reasons. Are you aware that other people also have a sense of presence that you can discern? Do you know that you have a presence yourself? How sensitive are you to discerning presence? I was the most luminous presence on earth yet most people didn’t realize that. A few did, as the Roman soldiers who said, ‘never a man spoke like this before’, and Peter who said, ‘to whom shall we go? For you have the words of life’. But your presence speaks before you do, and you have experienced this when a person enters the room and the atmosphere changes before they even speak. How sensitive are you to the presence of others? Can you discern and respond to those in need before they ask? What does your own presence communicate to others? 

Have you had a dramatic encounter with me? Moses did, and so did Paul, and Jacob, and so many other characters in the Bible. From reading my word do you get the idea that this was the rule rather than the exception? But do you find this is rare today? You describe your faith in terms of a relationship with me. That implies an encounter of some sort. Does it have to be dramatic? Some people, like Paul, required that. But I don’t. Drama is more for the need of the individual than for me. Moses had a dramatic encounters with me, but I also spoke to him face to face as a man speaks with his friend. I have also called you my friends, and I can speak to you in a still small voice. 

Someone who is listening is silent, but can you tell the difference between someone who is actively listening to you and someone who is not? So can I. How often do you expect to hear from me? My word says today if you will hear my voice harden not your hearts. This implies that you can hear from me often rather than rarely and it depends on whether you are in a receptive position or not. Are you more prone to speak when someone appears to be paying attention to you? I am the living word. Come to me and listen. Give me your full attention and see what happens.