Your life, like mine, tends to fill up with ‘stuff.’ Some of what we do is important; going to work, maintaining our home, caring for our health, serving others in Christ’s Name … and some is not; like scrolling through social media, for example. IF we hope to find the life for which we are created, we will need times of refocus, liking hitting the reset button!
Regular commitment to a day of worship and being ‘in church’ each week is one way that happens. Another is observing Church’s calendar. Tomorrow, we enter the 40-day season called Lent. It is a time of renewal that is intended to prepare us to celebrate the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our Savior.
The neglected spiritual discipline of fasting is encouraged during this time of year.
Fasting is about abstaining from food, pleasure, comfort, entertainment.
We can fast by setting aside some pleasurable pursuit, time on social media, or some special food.
We can fast by generously giving away our time in selfless service.
It is a positive way to practice obedience subjecting our body to the Spirit in a way that allows us a renewed experience of His Presence!
God made us with a spirit-body connection!
What we do in our physical body influences our spiritual state- both positively and negatively. The Holy Word says “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27, NLT) A literal translation of the NT Greek would read “I pound my body into submission!”
Careful here! God is not demanding ascetic self-denial that comes to self-abuse. There is a real spiritual maturity to be found in the reminder that life is more than food, clothes, or comfort.
Whatever our choice, fasting is not about proving anything to God.
Jesus taught us to practice spiritual disciplines like fasting, giving, and prayer without telling anyone. He said, “when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18 NLT) If we ‘show off’ with our ‘discipline’ it becomes nothing more than a means of making ourselves feel better, self-focused, the very thing of which we desire to be free.
Will you fast in some way this season of Lent? Perhaps you’ll give up your sugary desserts or your latte addiction. Goodbye, carrot cake!
Whatever your choice, keep the focus on humble worship. Personally, I think we might be better served by giving up some TV time for prayer, meditation or reading Scripture than giving up some incidental food item.
Are you serious about spiritual growth? Then, ask the Lord if you need to discipline your body to provide freedom for the Spirit, to allow for a reset.
Here’s a word from the Word about living in the Spirit. Think deeply and prayerfully on the promise of this passage. “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5)
Lent! May it be a season of renewal of joy and growth in the Spirit, for the glory of God.
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CoffeeBreak With The Word 
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