fasting

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I tried to fast once in college. It didn't go so well. I think I made it until lunch time. 

But since then I've learned that fasting doesn't just mean abstaining from food. We can fast from television, Facebook, or soda. We can fast from procrastination, nagging, or anger. 

Lent is about fasting from anything that separates you from God. I've chosen to read the Bible for Lent and to make time for that I'm having to abstain from other things that ordinarily occupy my time...Redbox movies, secondary sources, random trips to the mall. I'm also eating healthier because I want to have the energy and focus that reading at such an intensity requires. A couple shots of tequila might make reading about Job's misery a little easier, but I'm more likely to read deeply with grilled tilapia, quinoa, and steamed veggies in my belly. 

This week I read about Jehoshaphat (of "Jumping Jehoshaphat" fame), who declared "a nationwide fast" as a way of calling on God for help:

"Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: 'A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There’s no time to waste—they’re already at Hazazon Tamar, the oasis of En Gedi.' Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed. He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast. The country of Judah united in seeking God’s help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to God." (2 Chronicles 20:2-4 MSG)

God listened to their fasting and praying and fought the battle for them. By the time Jehoshaphat and his men came up over the rise, not one of their enemies was still living.

What would happen if we declared a nationwide fast and united against hatred, negativity, selfishness, guilt, fear, or any other attitude that is not from God? Could we trust God to fight our battles for us? Would we make it past noon? 

EMBRACE FASTING.




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