Hungry – Why wait?

I have been pondering this spiritual discipline of fasting the past several days.  I struggled with this concept for some time.  I thought it was some weird thing that only holy pope like people do.  But as I look at the Bible it seems to indicate that everyone should practice this discipline of fasting.  Jesus in Matthew 6:16 says “When you fast…” as to say this should be a regular thing.  We see many people all throughout the Bible from Moses to Jesus practicing this thing known as fasting.

So what exactly is fasting?  As I can tell from scripture and other books I have read, fasting is going without something, usually food, for spiritual reasons.  I like what Dr. Bill Bright has to say about this, he says, “Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.” 

Why do we fast?  There are many reasons why followers of Jesus should regularly practice fasting, but the primary reason for fasting is to create a hunger for God in our lives.  I read this great quote in a book the other night that says “Self-indulgence is the enemy of gratitude, and self-discipline usually its friend and generator.  That is why gluttony is a deadly sin. The early desert fathers believed that a person’s appetites are linked: full stomachs and jaded palates take the edge from our hunger and thirst for righteousness.  They spoil the appetite for God”  So in other words as we take away food our hunger fuels a hunger and thirst for more of God and draws us to himself.

Fasting is typically includes going without food, but does not necesarily have to be that.  It could be giving up a certain type of food or giving up a certain activity.  Whatever it is make sure it causes enough tension to create a hunger for something more which will draw you to God.  It is always food for me since I love food so much I need to deprive myself from food to create those hunger pangs which draw me to God.  The hunger pangs remind me that I need God and I am desperate for him.

I can think of no better season than now to partake in a fast.  This is the time of year when we celebrate Christ sacrifice for us and his ressurection from the dead.  The least we can do is give up something for him for a period.  So this season fast and see what God does in your life.