What are you giving up during Lent?
Each year, on Ash Wednesday, we’re given a second chance at fulfilling a New Year’s Resolution of self help and improvement. Throughout the Western Church, this practice of giving something up for Lent has become quite common, but the origin of this practice reaches beyond the season of Lent. In spiritual practice terms, we could say that during Lent we take on the practice of fasting. By way of example, some fast from the pleasures of social media, of Netflix, or of drinking alcohol during Lent. But if it’s self help or improvement we’re after, our motivation may be off course.
The practice of fasting is not designed for human fulfillment, rather, for the emptying of oneself in order that God may be glorified as we are being filled entirely apart from our superficial attempts at self-fulfillment.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12: “he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Could it be that the primary question embedded in this ancient practice is not “what are you fasting from,” rather “what are you fasting for?”
Diana Curren Bennett writes, “In Jewish tradition, fasting had two primary purposes. First, it expressed personal or national repentance for sin. And second, fasting prepared oneself inwardly for receiving the inner strength and grace to complete a mission of faithful service in God’s name.”
For example, after Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit led him into the wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days & nights and was tempted by the devil. After this time of fasting, Jesus began his earthly ministry.
Bennett continues “Over the years this spiritual discipline has become more than the original biblical combination of “prayer and fasting.” At the core, however, remains the same intention—a healthy discipline rooted in freedom that brings our soul into deeper communion with God.”
The practice of fasting is not intended to be punitive, but invitational. As we abstain from worldly pleasures, addictions, and musings, God invites us into deeper awareness, communion, freedom and empowerment.
Humans are so prone to idolatry, and the western culture of consumerism both perpetuates and thrives on our wandering hearts. The practice of fasting places the allures of the world into their rightful place in our lives so that God is welcomed to sit on the throne of our hearts. Through the practice of fasting, may we so sincerely echo the prayer of King David: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 24:7)
So receive this invitation, take up the practice of fasting: not only from, but also for.
It may be helpful to examine your life in this season. Journal your answer to questions such as: “Is communion with God the deepest desire of my heart?” “If not, what is in the way?” “What is the one thing that I don’t think I could live without?” “What is keeping me from displaying the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control?” “Do I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and love my neighbor as myself?”
Listen to what God reveals to you.
Maybe your self-sufficiency is being highlighted; consider fasting from food, and practice prayer. Could it be that you're struggling to make time to commune with God?; fast from Netflix or social media, and engage in scripture reading. Maybe you have trouble hearing from God altogether, and are being invited to fast from noise. Yes, even the practice of silence is a form of fasting.
When you have identified what you want to fast for, and therefore what you should fast from, make a plan. Give yourself permission to start small. Depending on what you are fasting from, it could mean that you start with 5 minutes of silence a day, or an hour off your phone, or a 24 hour fast from food once a week. Overtime, the idols of your hearts will be starved, and you indeed will feast on the presence of God. Feast. And feast some more. Be filled in God’s abundance.
I invite you now to participate in a short fast from noise. During the next few minutes, this audio will go silent. During that time, I invite you to simply listen, to be, and to pray and reflect on the words of David that were mentioned earlier. Consider your body posture. Are you attentive? Are you ready to listen and receive? I invite you to sit upright, and hold your hands open in front of you as we pray, “come, Holy Spirit”
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Prayer: O Lord, my God, my soul thirsts for you. I yearn to hear your voice and to experience deep communion with you. My desire is to know you and your path for my life. Please show me practices and habits that I can cease for a season in order to pray more often and be transformed by your powerful Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hear God’s invitation through the prophet Joel:
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:12-13)
What are you fasting for, and therefore what are you fasting from?