I gave up chocolate cake!

I gave up chocolate cake!

The ancient practice of fasting is little practiced in our era and when we do attempt it, it is often so symbolic that it becomes ineffectual.  Raised in a church that did not observe seasons like Advent or Lent, I was puzzled when we moved to New York and my friends, who were nearly all Roman Catholic, talked about giving up something for Lent.  Mostly they ‘sacrificed’ things that hardly made a dent in their lives – chocolate and cake; you know, the staples. 

Early in the Christian church, the 40 days leading up to the celebration of the Resurrection were set aside as a time of fasting.  In the West, it became known as “Lent” drawn from the Anglo-Saxon word for Spring (Lencten).  Why 40 days?  That number recurs in the Bible for times of spiritual growth and revelation.  The rain fell for 40 days in Noah’s flood. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Moses spent 40 days on the mountain receiving the Law. Jesus spent 40 days alone, fasting, and during that time experienced the temptation. Why a fast? Fasting is a way to discipline the body, to remind ourselves that we are more than the things that give us pleasure.  It is a practice that can help us to grow in Christ. Paul knew the importance of a fast. "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 9:27, NLT)

We are accustomed to comfort, quick to satisfy our body’s signals for warmth, food, or drink. I hasten to add that I, for one, am very thankful for the abundance we enjoy. But, things are out of balance. The number one health issue in America in 2014 is weight, which for most of us, is directly related to a lack of discipline about our food.  Sexual sins plague Christians. Once again, because we are often unwilling or unable to say “No” to what we declare is a ‘need.’  So, during these 40 days of Lent, I am suggesting that we engage with a meaningful kind of ‘fasting.’  Instead of symbolically giving up chocolate cake, how about taking on your appetites with the help of the Spirit?

Wasting too much time watching TV?  Take up a fast.

Addicted to something? Take up a fast.

Complaining too often or too much about little discomforts or inconveniences? Take up a fast.

Match the fast with meditation on the meaning of our Christianity.  In Christ, we go from death to life, from facing an eternity apart from God to having a home promised for eternity in His Presence. Lenten fasts end before Easter so that Christians can feast with joy.  That feast anticipates the promise of life beyond death, of hope that survives the body’s demise.  Steady, rock-solid, Spirit-filled Christians must have a vision that reaches over time’s horizon.  The only reason to say no to the craving of ‘the flesh,’ (the sinful nature) is because we knew that there is a greater promise of Glory. That is why Paul starkly tells us to mortify the flesh, that is, to put it to death. "We are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (Romans 8:12-14, NKJV)  Fasting is one way to say, “Die, old sinful nature!”

Today is the beginning of the Fast of Lent.  I hope you will use the season to grow toward the hope expressed in the word from the Word.  "It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—…  our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (1 Corinthians 15:2, 53-58, NLT)

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