Yesterday was the beginning of Lent, and many are participating by fasting something for 40 days. For some, it may be a certain type of food or drink. For others, it might be something that consumes their time, such as TV or internet. If you are fasting as part of Lent, I want to encourage you to keep your focus on the purpose of fasting. A fast is not to make us religious. A fast is not to make us more spiritual than others. A fast is not to call attention to ourselves.
I read a great take on the purpose of fasting by Joel J. Miller this week...
"Fasting denies the flesh and its desires. But why? For the express purpose of better enabling us to put on Christ, to grow in Christ, to become more like Christ. Fasting is a means to an end. We deny ourselves to transform ourselves."
When you fast, you are giving something up. But whatever you give up, you must replace it with God. In place of the time you would be devoting to whatever it is you are fasting, spend time in prayer, worship, reading the Word. As you draw closer to God, He will draw closer to you (James 4:8). Listen for God to speak to you and allow God to transform you.
