Preparing to Fast
In a few weeks, we will observe Ash Wednesday to begin the season of Lent. Lent is a season of preparation leading up to the celebration of Easter. Lent is usually marked by fasting (which simply refers to refraining from something for a period of time). Some people choose to give up the same things each year and often the item sacrificed is food-related. Some will give up chocolate, caffeine, desserts or fast foods. Others will refrain from bad habits such as smoking, swearing or gambling.
Our church-wide Lenten resource will focus upon a book by James Moore entitled “Give Up Something Bad for Lent.” In his book, Moore challenges us to be a little more thoughtful and sincere about our Lenten sacrifices. Rather than giving up something that we will enthusiastically resume as soon as the Lenten season ends, he argues that we should carefully consider those things in our lives that keep us from truly following God and things that keep us from living like Christ.
Based upon the scripture in which Jesus commands that if something causes us to sin, “cut it off and throw it away!” (Matthew 5:29-30). That might seem extreme, but it certainly isn’t vague. Moore says ‘anything that is destructive, anything that threatens to destroy us, and anything that seduces us to sin should be ruthlessly and radically cut out of our lives’ (pg. 12). Moore further contends that ‘nowhere is this principle truer than in the spiritual dimension of our personal lives. There are certain acts, certain attitudes, certain habits, certain sins that will contaminate, infect, and poison our souls’ (pg. 13).
We’ve had many conversations around the church recently about following Jesus and becoming better disciples. Our vision statement reminds us of The Great Commission to make disciples. As the hunger to live according to the Word of God grows, the desire to share the love of God also grows. Peace is not found in the mundane or the ordinary, God invites us to follow a pathway that leads to The Way.
The lectionary reading for this week includes the Old Testament prophet Isaiah in which he offers the penetrating question from God ‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?’ (58:6). Isaiah speaks of a fast that is far more demanding than temporarily refraining from dessert or sacrificing a bad habit. The fast that God proclaims expresses our obligation and opportunity for our neighbors and ourselves.
What is in your life that you need to give up for Lent that will truly make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you? Lent lasts only 40 days. As you carefully consider your Lenten fast, don’t simply select something bad that you will give up. Identify something good that you will embrace, pursue and share instead. Begin a good habit that will transform the world that we all share.
We are looking forward to seeing you in worship, in class and on the mission field. Please let someone know how much they are missed when we don’t see them in worship, around the church or in the neighborhood.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
