Fasting

Last week I told you that I would be writing about something you could “give up” during Lent. While I don’t like to conceptualize Lent in that way, so many people associate Lent with some sort of sacrifice that I am going to play along in order to make some important points.

This week I am asking you to give up your lunch. Not every day, but occasionally. The impact on your life could be monumental.

One of the classical disciplines of spiritual life is fasting, the voluntary foregoing of food for a designated period of time. The purpose of fasting is simple: it is the denying of an appetite to enable a spiritual search or commitment. It has nothing to do with weight loss. It is an intentional, physical focusing on God. It is an awesome experience, but it can be a struggle.

The difficulty of fasting is not in the hunger. The challenge of a fast is in the power of the appetite. Many of us simply never say no to our appetite. A craving is usually met by immediate gratification; hence the popularity of so much “junk food.” Because we so consistently gratify ourselves, we can be unaware of how powerful our appetites are and the control they exert over us. The decision to deny yourself, even for a few hours, can be a terrible spiritual battle.

That spiritual battle is the point of fasting. Your appetite will scream at you, reminding you again and again that you haven’t fed it. Who is in charge here? Even a brief fast brings you face to face with “the powers that be.” The stage is then set for God to be at work.

God reveals things to us during a fast that don’t come at times of fullness and satisfaction. That is why fasting is a part of virtually every religious tradition. If you are really interested in knowing God’s will, seeking God’s direction, or just reorienting yourself toward God, a fast is a wonderful way to begin.

Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days, but most fasts are far more modest. Usually a meal or two is all it takes. Of course, there are those who for medical reasons should not fast. But most of us are capable of incorporating this discipline into our regular spiritual practice. A little goes a very long way.

During Lent 2005 why not designate a day for fasting and prayer? I do, and I actually look forward to it. During such a day your activities continue normally (Jesus told us to “anoint the head and wash the face” when fasting so that no one can tell what is going on). But on the inside you are being reminded of who you are and to whom you belong. In a hectic world, that regular reminder is vital for spiritual health.



Next week I will ask you to take a look at all of your “stuff”…