F is for Fasting

There are things about God that I don’t understand. There are things about life that I don’t understand. And when faced with those things, sometimes it’s best to engage in something else I don’t understand: Fasting.  A few thoughts about this F-word that’s sadly more taboo than others in our culture.

:: Jesus speaks of fasting in the same manner as prayer and giving. A common question is, “Do Christians have to fast?” Well, no. We don’t. But we readily acknowledge that we are to give and we are to pray, and Jesus speaks of these three things in the same breath in the sermon on the mount (Matt 6). He says,

“When you give …” (6:2)

“When you pray …” (6:5)

“When you fast …” (6:16)

Jesus never tells us exactly how many minutes a day we are supposed to pray. He never tells us exactly how much money we are to give. And He never tells us exactly how much He wants us to fast. But He assumes that we will pray, will give, and will fast.

Then why don’t we?  We often think that the “touchiest” subject to address is money and giving, but perhaps in our society addicted to physical comfort, perhaps fasting is even touchier. Richard Foster says,

Why has the giving of money, for example, been unquestionably recognized as an element of Christian devotion and fasting so disputed? Certainly we have as much, if not more evidence from the Bible for fasting as we have for giving. Perhaps in our affluent society fasting involves a far greater sacrifice than the giving of money. (Celebration of Discipline, 66)

Wow. That hit anyone else squarely in the gut?  I can attest that that is true of me. It is way easier for me to write a check than go without food. How about you?

:: Biblical fasting must center on spiritual purposes. Fasting or “cleanses” are very popular now, for good reason. Naturally the disciplines that God designed have stood the test of time and proven beneficial for our health. But biblical fasting must center on spiritual purposes. Which is why I personally suggest that anyone who struggles with abusing their body through starvation, that a different form of fasting be observed (from media or people or another everyday habit). However, truth be told very few of us struggle with starving ourselves.  And, truth be told, “starving” is a word tossed around in our culture that we know nothing about.  Going without food for a meal or a day will starve nothing but our flesh.

But that said, we must be so careful for our motive. Why am I doing this fast? Ultimately the goal of fasting is always intimacy with God. Drawing near. Going without the things satiate our souls so that we can hunger for Him and taste and see that He is good.

:: Fasting is a beautiful way to close the gap between sacred and secular facets of life. What better way to remind ourselves that it is through this earthly body that we are supposed to commune with God. How beautiful that we can dig deep into the spiritual center of our souls through simply pushing aside the plate of food for the day? We don’t have to leave our ordinary duties or buy a new book or go to some conference. A fresh encounter with God is as close as the close of the refrigerator.

I sometimes wonder if God patiently and graciously endures all of our great and grand seeking of Him through contemporary means.  As much as I LOVE worship through music, I’m the first to admit that it is a very flesh-satisfying way to seek God. I love the sound, the feel, the experience. It fills me up, gives me energy, gets me going.  It’s easy. Fasting is the opposite. There’s nothing about it that satisfies my flesh. It’s hard, makes me tired, and makes me feel humble and dependent.

No wonder God prescribes it.

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With no guilt, shame, or condemnation, what are your current thoughts about fasting? Scared? Intimidated? Unsure of where to start? Richard Foster has some great words in Celebration of Discipline.

My thoughts? Start small. I began by fasting between meals. You laugh, but it’s true. A step is a step no matter how small. Thanks for reading.