The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Many people Celebrate differently, some denominations include a break from fasting on Sundays to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Liberating King. Currently some are participating in Lent through the H2O water project by fasting any beverages other than water, some are fasting "vice" foods usually a source of comfort, some are limiting their diets to match those in impoverished countries.
This Lenten season, I am joining some in a restricted diet similar to those in impoverished countries, only breaking for specific occasions. This is not meant to be a burden on anyone, but a focusing on what Christ has done for us, and I would encourage us to ask Jesus to show us during this season, if there is a way that we can focus more on what He has done for us, to focus more on what His liberation has provided us.
Over the next few weeks, I want to unpack a few specific things on the FoM Blogosphere about the three temptations Christ faced in the desert,what that means for us, and the purposes of the Lenten season, starting with Self Denial, and why I chose to fast how I did.
A few disclaimers, first. This season is not about the fast, its about the saviour. It's not about tradition, but transformation.
It's about walking into the desert and facing our most intimate struggles, and the liberation Christ brings us.
This lenten season, I am joining other believers in a fast restricting my diet. The diet is the same diet of children with Compassion International, who are sponsored by a local church here in Houston. The diet is rice, beans, chicken, a simple salad, and tortillas. Basically 40 days of tacos.
More importantly I want to share the reason why, that lead me to this decision.
Food has equated to security and status.
When I get stressed, and I am worried about job security, provision, etc. I stock the pantry.
The first thing I'll do is make sure I have enough to eat, to last a while, frozen foods, and canned goods to make sure they'll last a long time. I take Gods daily provision into my own hands. Food is security. And I think what this has done in my life, has made me worry about what I am to eat, how I am to survive. It also is some form of status symbol, the better I eat the "wealthier I am" , and thus I have lost gratitude for the food God has provided, and I even feel as if I am some how entitled to eating a nice huge, hot meal.
And the truth is, most of the world survives off of rice and beans, and some how, stocking the pantry for survival equates to steak, or hamburgers, pizza, or treats. I feel as if my survival is dependent on satisfying my cravings. Since I've started the fast, I am finding liberation in God being my provider. I am holding things more loosely, trusting and surrendering to His control. Not just with food but in other areas. Food no longer provides the security or the status. It is simply a necessity to live. A physical fuel for His work.
It's been humbling, and it's liberating. Surrendering to Jesus an area where I try to control.
When I get stressed, and I am worried about job security, provision, etc. I stock the pantry.
The first thing I'll do is make sure I have enough to eat, to last a while, frozen foods, and canned goods to make sure they'll last a long time. I take Gods daily provision into my own hands. Food is security. And I think what this has done in my life, has made me worry about what I am to eat, how I am to survive. It also is some form of status symbol, the better I eat the "wealthier I am" , and thus I have lost gratitude for the food God has provided, and I even feel as if I am some how entitled to eating a nice huge, hot meal.
And the truth is, most of the world survives off of rice and beans, and some how, stocking the pantry for survival equates to steak, or hamburgers, pizza, or treats. I feel as if my survival is dependent on satisfying my cravings. Since I've started the fast, I am finding liberation in God being my provider. I am holding things more loosely, trusting and surrendering to His control. Not just with food but in other areas. Food no longer provides the security or the status. It is simply a necessity to live. A physical fuel for His work.
It's been humbling, and it's liberating. Surrendering to Jesus an area where I try to control.
Should everyone fast this way? No.
Do I believe everyone must fast during Lent? I don't know.
I do believe that during this season, we spend sometime with Jesus. Maybe there is something that if we would only surrender it to Him, we will find freedom. He will liberate our hearts.
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