We are in the middle of an amazing sermon series entitled "Fierce Pursuit: For We Have Spent Enough Time in the Past." This week's spiritual discipline that we will look at in conjunction with our passage is fasting.
Fasting is an inward spiritual discipline beautifully modeled for us throughout Scripture not only by Jesus, but by Esther and Paul, Anna and Moses, just to name a few.
Fasting is often misunderstood or avoided. To be honest, it is a spiritual discipline that I have avoided in the past for fear of falling into a legalistic way of thinking (if I fast _____, then God will _____). God is still showing me the ropes when it comes to fasting. I have a lot to learn.
This Sunday, as Pastor Todd takes us through this passage and we look at suffering... and how we are to pursue it... (!), I thought that looking at the spiritual discipline of fasting might be helpful. We live in a culture where we are so used to meeting our own needs, instantly. ATM's dole out money. Drive-thru's dole out soda and sandwiches. The latest movie can be ordered on-demand from the comfort of our living rooms. Medical offices have same day appointments. Cell phones and text messaging make communication instantaneous. It should come as no surprise that sometimes, we think that we can do a "better" job of meeting our own needs and taking care of ourselves than God can. Sometimes, we fall into sin. However, if we resist, and lean on Jesus, and we suffer as we say "no" to what God has called us to say "no" to, and/or "yes" to what God has called us to say "yes" to, there is freedom and transformation.
According to Calhoun in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, "Fasting is not a magical way to manipulate God into doing our will; it's not a way to get God to be an accomplice to our plans... Fasting clears us out and opens us up to intentionally seeking God's will and grace in a way that goes beyond normal habits of worship and prayer."
Engaging in the spiritual discipline of fasting can help change our posture and place us in a better position to engage in this fierce pursuit of holiness and of other people.
Engaging in the spiritual discipline of fasting can help us as we learn to suffer for Christ, as we seek to follow the move of the Holy Spirit when we pursue others, as we seek wisdom as we pursue others, and as we patiently endure as we pursue others.
According to Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline, "Fasting must forever center on God. It must be God-initiated and God-ordained." A secondary purpose of fasting is that it "reveals the things that control us." Whoa.
Fasting is personal, and ultimately decided by you and God. Therefore, I don't have much to suggest, other than simply to ask the following: in what ways is God calling you... me... us... to fast today... this week... this month... this year? How might God use the spiritual discipline of fasting to center your focus on Him? How might God use the spiritual discipline of fasting to change your posture? How might God use the spiritual discipline of fasting to show you what is controlling you? Spend some time reflecting and asking God to direct you regarding this spiritual discipline.
As we prepare for Sunday's message, let us not only inquire of God if and how He wants us to fast, but if He does, let us also ask Him to help us. Let us also pray for help from the Holy Spirit as we pursue suffering and as we pursue others buoyantly, wisely, and patiently.
PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm. Join us as we engage in care and prayer throughout the building.
Pastor Celia
PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm. Join us as we engage in care and prayer throughout the building.
Pastor Celia
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