I’m excited to be back to writing after a week’s hiatus. I sit down with the Lord every morning to write, but I only post when he prompts me to do that. I realize this schedule is not terribly predictable, but the Lord seems to know what He is doing. There are many churches that prompt a new year time of fasting with their members. I too am participating in fasting this year, and I encourage any of you who have not considered fasting in January to pray about what the Lord might be prompting you to do.
Fasting is the initiation of the process of dying to one’s self. God does not find pleasure in our fasting, that is to say He is not impressed with us when we fast nor does He relish our suffering. Indeed, He does not find joy in how we beat ourselves up, inflicting pain on our lives. Rather, He is proud of us for choosing to mature, for dying to self is growth. It pleases God when we seek the path of growth and maturity. Just like a parent is pleased when a child takes their first steps: there is pain in walking at first, calluses must be formed, there are lots of things to bump into, and many ways to fall down and get hurt. However, every parent knows that these bumps and scrapes are necessary to the maturing work that we want to see in our children. So too is fasting. It’s not easy and it can often be painful, but when we deny ourselves we follow the model of Christ. (Luke 9:23)
The work of fasting is done in our heart, and, thankfully, God is looking at our heart. He is not angered when you accidentally lick a spoon after making your child’s peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He is pleased that in denying yourself, you are still caring for another’s needs. That is the model of what Jesus displayed for us in the crucifixion and it is what he wants to develop in us, to make us more like him.
Yielding Prayer
Father, I want to align myself with you this week. I want your thoughts to be my thoughts and your ways to be my ways. I submit myself to willing self denial this week, fasting from (food, internet, social media, television, or whatever else the Lord is prompting in you) in order to better walk after you. Please teach me to be like you and show me that you are the one who truly sustains me.