Fasting
Many deny themselves things for their own benefit, so that they are better off. A health kick here, a saving plan there.
However, in our world of instant everything, from fast food, to faster loans, the concept of denying oneself for the benefit of talking to God is counter cultural.
Few are willing to place time and effort into the listening to the Carpenter of Nazareth, yet, when called to fast this is exactly what is meant to happen.
A traditional fast from food is meant to allow more time time to pray. The more time you pray, the more opportunity you have to hear God's voice. The more you hear God's voice, the more you can follow his will.
The logic is there, yet Dear Reader, we can see that it is easily thwarted.
The carpenter himself said of the Spiritual leaders of his day
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you- Matt 6:16ff
Jesus recognised actions often do not speak louder than private words between you and God.
So when you fast, do so in private. The carpenter assumes we will fast. This is not some long forgotten tradition, but a regular practice for the follower of the carpenter.
When you fast, you will use the time normally devoted to a certain action, in the traditional sense, eating food, to devote to spending time with God.
When you do this with the right attitude, God responds!
It's worth noting that you can fast from many things, and often one should consider fasting from the thing that dominates your time the most.
If today, many were to stop posting on Facebook in favour of prayer, the world may be a different place.
So today, Dear Reader, consider what you should fast from and why, and see how the carpenter responds.
However, in our world of instant everything, from fast food, to faster loans, the concept of denying oneself for the benefit of talking to God is counter cultural.
Few are willing to place time and effort into the listening to the Carpenter of Nazareth, yet, when called to fast this is exactly what is meant to happen.
A traditional fast from food is meant to allow more time time to pray. The more time you pray, the more opportunity you have to hear God's voice. The more you hear God's voice, the more you can follow his will.
The logic is there, yet Dear Reader, we can see that it is easily thwarted.
The carpenter himself said of the Spiritual leaders of his day
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you- Matt 6:16ff
Jesus recognised actions often do not speak louder than private words between you and God.
So when you fast, do so in private. The carpenter assumes we will fast. This is not some long forgotten tradition, but a regular practice for the follower of the carpenter.
When you fast, you will use the time normally devoted to a certain action, in the traditional sense, eating food, to devote to spending time with God.
When you do this with the right attitude, God responds!
It's worth noting that you can fast from many things, and often one should consider fasting from the thing that dominates your time the most.
If today, many were to stop posting on Facebook in favour of prayer, the world may be a different place.
So today, Dear Reader, consider what you should fast from and why, and see how the carpenter responds.
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