Value 6- Week 4 Fasting
Reflection: Feasting
Fasting is
not a particularly popular discipline because we associate it only with
emptying, self-denial, hunger, and suffering.
It helps to understand that for fasting to be effective spiritually, it must
be combined with feasting. When we fast,
we are intentionally creating a void that must be filled. The intentionality we give to how we fill the
void we create is as important as creating it in the first place. We fast for a spiritual purpose, therefore we
must fill the void with a spiritual replacement or something worse will seek to
fill the void (Luke 11:24-26).
When Jesus
was fasting in the wilderness and was tempted to fill the emptiness created by
his fast, he responded, “One does not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
(Matthew 4:4) Jesus fasted from food and
filled the void by feasting on God’s word. This is why we have historically
always associated fasting with prayer.
Through the discipline of fasting we empty ourselves of the temptation
for constant self fulfilment in order to make room to fill ourselves with
God. While we sometimes think we can
pray without fasting (though true fervent effective prayer probably requires
fasting of some sort, whether from words, people or the need to be in control)
we cannot effectively fast without praying.
In my experience, fasting without spiritually feasting only leaves me
irritable and frustrated. To fast without
feasting is to have the wrong motive and to lose the value of the
discipline. Jesus witnessed that in the
Pharisees and in response taught his disciples, “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for
they disfigure their faces so as to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you they have received their
reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that
your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who sees in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18) The reward Jesus refers to is not credit on a
ledger but rather His presence in filling the emptiness the fast has
created. (don’t forget that secrecy may
be an important discipline to combine with fasting and prayer) We fast, in order that we may feast, for as
Mother Teresa reminded us, “Even Almighty God cannot fill what is already
full”.
Practice:
This week focus on the feasting side of my fast. With what am I filling the void my fast is
creating. Be intentional about combining
your fast with scripture, prayer, and secrecy.
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