What I Learned from My Colonoscopy
I endured my first colonoscopy this week. It comes with attaining a certain age. It's also not something that normally comes up in conversation, but as I mentioned to people that I wouldn't be able to attend a meeting or be able to do this or that because I was going to have a colonoscopy I found that almost everyone had gone through the experience themselves, many of them younger than myself.
And they pretty much all said the same thing -- the procedure is nothing, its the preparation that makes it so unpleasant. And its not just the day before where you are limited to a liquid diet. I've fasted before, and going without solid food for 24-36 hours is not a real difficult thing to do. No, the real struggle for me was having to drink a gallon!! of a foul-tasting prep solution that had its intended effect of emptying my "innards." But I survived, the procedure went well, one tiny polyp was removed and I received a clean bill of health from my doctor. Now I have five years before I have to go through this again.
One of the "benefits" of this experience was reminding me that I need to get back to the spiritual practice of fasting. In the past I've fasted during Lent, but it has never been a regular part of my spiritual discipline. But in my reading and study I have come across more and more emphasis on the importance of fasting and prayer as a means of empowering us for effective ministry. As a church planter I know that I face unique challenges that only prayer can overcome. I also know that fasting will certainly help in strengthening my spiritual life for the rigors of starting a new church.