It's not just about giving up something

"Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food." Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines

Many of the spiritual disciplines I practice today, I learned as a child. For example, every year during the 40 days before Easter, my family and I fasted. But as kids, we didn't call it fasting, we called it giving up something for Lent. And while we may have given up simple pleasures like candy or gum, it still afforded us the opportunity to identify with Jesus and his time in the wilderness.

Wendy Lynn Mitchell, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Confirmation 1975

However, long before Jesus entered the desert, the Lord has been teaching his people about fasting. The people of Isaiah’s day also fasted and anticipated God’s appropriate response to their self-denial. Yet, the Lord seemed ambivalent and inattentive to their actions: “Why have we fasted and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves and you have not noticed?” Isaiah 58.3a

Contrary to their belief, though, God had noticed their displays, he just wasn't impressed by them: “On the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers ... your fasting ends in quarreling and strife ... is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” Isaiah 58.3b-4 

Fortunately, the Lord set his people straight about what he expected: “Is not this the kind of fast I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” Isaiah 58.6-7

When we humble ourselves in a fast dedicated to the Lord, we not only recognize our utter dependence on God, it also enables us to empathize with those who are suffering. As we do so, our softened hearts will desire justice for the mistreated and prompt us to act on their behalf. This idea however, is not unique to the Old Testament but manifests itself in the life and ministry of Jesus.

After his 40 day fast, Jesus left the wilderness, entered the synagogue and declared, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has come.” Luke 4.18.19

The older I get, the more I realize, fasting is a more profound and complex practice than I ever imagined. Fasting opens my eyes to see God and the people around me from his perspective. It allows me to identify with the suffering of Jesus and with the marginalized. Fasting revitalizes my faith and inspires me to connect it to my works. 

Lynne Hybels presents a challenge to us once offered to her: "Years ago a friend said that if I read Isaiah 58 for 30 days in a row, it would turn my life upside-down. I did. She was right. Try it."

In the next 40 days, let's be mindful that a true fast isn't just about giving up, it's about giving out. As a daily reading of Isaiah 58 will remind us.

Originally posted here on 2.17.2015