I have really been challenged of late in my 'spiritual walk', of whether I am completely selfish in it.  Am I desiring to grow into Christ because of what that offers me, at the expense of others...and is that possible.  Today I've been thinking about fasting and how different I look in this compared to the ideals set forth in Matthew and Isaiah. 

I'm loud about it.  You will know what I am doing.  But beyond that, it's always about me.  It's about something I want, or a place I want my relationship to go, it's not about sharing my food with the hungry, or loosening the bonds of wickedness (which doesn't happen in one conversation or through one gift.  Remember God used 12 plagues over an extended period of time to loosen the bonds of wickedness placed on Israel)  It's so easy to do things from a distance, so hard to walk those 2 miles with someone else.

So when you see me this way, alone on my pile of Ashes, ask me to go for a walk...and I'll do the same for you.