My Secret Weapon

I call it my Secret Weapon . . .

It’s a code word in my family that tells my wife and kids that I’m trying to learn something. I’m an educator by profession, and as much as I love teaching; learning is my real passion. There is no satisfaction greater than discovering and understanding truth. Whether it’s learning how to live healthier (you’ve got to read Lifespan by David Sinclair), manage my time (Deep Work by Cal Newport is a gem), or finding a way to help my son hit for power (Joey Myers book the Catapult Loading System changed everything…literally had to change the whole swing).

But when I really want to learn something then I pull out the secret weapon. When done right it works every time. It will not work if you kinda wanna know something. For example: I used it to learn how to make the football team in high school. I also used it to learn what to major in college. I used it a couple times to learn who I should marry (I’ve only been married once; but the first time I used it I learned I shouldn’t marry the girl). I used it to learn if I should switch careers. My wife and I used it to learn if we should have more kids. I’ve even used it to learn how to coach Little League.

When I do it right it never fails me . . . and I know it won’t fail you. I’m going to reveal the secret. The secret to the deepest learning of anything is through fasting.

This is not your intermittent fasting or a detox. This kind of fasting is coupled with prayer and a deep desire to come out of the darkness that burdens your life. This kind of fast is an intense focus on a single task or person that carries with it/them a deep value. This kind of learning is revelatory in nature and is not resolved at the end of the fast. However the mist that fogs our learning always lifts and eventually the light breaks forth as the morning. If anything I have always felt an increase in peace and security regarding my purpose for the fast when I am done.

I use the secret weapon once a month. During difficult times in my life I’ve fasted weekly. Today I will start a special fast: I will be fasting for you. We all need to learn from our unique circumstances. I know people who have lost jobs. I have friends who have loved ones in the hospital on the brink of death. I know others who are dying from boredom and depression. I am fasting that we will all be able to learn how to survive and grow from this unique circumstance. Recently I have introduced the fast to my children and they have each had their own success stories fasting. I invite you to learn deeply as we go through this trial together. If you would like to learn deeply then I will reveal to you the secret weapon.

How to learn through fasting:

Start with a prayer: whoever the Master of your universe is, they hold the key to the mysteries of life. There is an answer and your God has it. When you use the secret weapon of fasting you are about to show God that you are more interested in learning the truth than you are food and water. You are more interested in the well-being of the poor and needy than your own personal comforts. This softening of the heart prepares you to be the best kind of student.

No Food or Water for 24 hours: The reason for the code-word in my family is so that my family knows I’m not eating, but also so that I don’t make a scene. Some of us can be very dramatic about our suffering. Those who are more interested in making a scene and drawing attention to themselves are in no place to learn the mind and will of God. The key to this is it’s a secret weapon. No complaining. I hesitate to write this blog because it goes against the nature of fasting. But in times such as this I want everyone to have their best shot at learning from their experiences. WARNING: If you have health conditions that don’t allow you to go without food or water for 24 hours, there are other things to sacrifice: electronics, social media, sugar, meat, shopping etc. Something that would be a sacrifice for you and serve as a constant reminder that you would rather learn than partake.

Relieve the Oppressed: The rule I use is 24 hours and two meals. I will eat dinner tonight and then not eat until dinner until tomorrow — I will skip breakfast and lunch. I will take the money I would have spent on these meals and donate it to charity. Relieving the poor and hungry shows my intention and motivation to learn truth — it is not for self aggrandizement, but for the betterment of self. Another hindrance to learning is anger and emotional distress. If all I can feel is anger then I cannot learn.  I lose my anger when I set my offenders free.  When I am at peace, I am fee to learn. Therefore fasting requires forgiveness — or in other words, learning begins with forgiveness. I fast from my anger. Forgiveness lifts the haze caused by your burdens and clarity enters your heart and mind. In fact I often fast to learn how to forgive some people in my life.

Now you know my secret weapon. If I turn down your food or drink it might be because I’m on a secret mission to learn truth. It has worked for me, my wife, and my children. I wouldn’t be inviting you to try it, if it didn’t work. There is no better time to try.