FOR GOD AND GROWTH

By PASTOR TONY

March 19th, 2021

Yesterday concluded a rather extensive discussion on fasting with the Lenten Study group we developed at the beginning of Lent. Though the group isn’t finished meeting yet, we did finish our discussion on fasting and I want to share some of what we learned with each of you. Yesterday we created a list of every reason we could think of to fast, as we continued to ponder the question: “Should Methodists, or Christians in general, fast today?” We know that Jesus fasted in the desert while preparing for ministry, but he fasted for 40 days and nights, which would literally kill us! Is it even good for us to fast? 

The list we came up with on Thursday, is the beginning of reasons why it may be good for some of us to fast. Check them out!

  1. To prepare for mission (i.e. a mission trip, or an important task)
  2. To get ready for a procedure (medically or spiritually)
  3. To bring healing (for someone else or yourself)
  4. To help overcome addiction
  5. To develop awareness (for those who are hungry on a regular basis, or for something specific going on in your own life)
  6. To develop gratitude for what you have been given
  7. For discernment (to make a big decision, or in general)
  8. For hope (doing everything you can to bring it to the Church, your family, or for yourself)
  9. To support others
  10. To intentionally spend more time with God
  11. To care for your soul
  12. To diet/detox the body
  13. To develop self-discipline
  14. To re-focus/center on God
  15. To overcome a bad habit

I’m proud of this group, partially for enduring all of the extensive background I’ve given from Scripture, history, and life experience about fasting, but mostly for seeing the value it could have on our daily lives. Life is hard and sometimes a little added intentionally/help from God could be exactly what we need. However, for whatever reason you may choose to fast, remember what God asks in Zechariah 7:5-6.

“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? 6 And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?”

Is it ultimately, in one way or another, for God that we fast? If so, let it be done. If not, it may be better not to fast if we’re becoming lost, distracted, or even more distant from God during any religious practice of fasting. If it’s not causing us to grow, it may be time to break fast. But my prayer is that growth and healing may come for you in the days ahead.

Facebook-f Youtube Envelope