Out of reach
by Georgie ShawA Note of Sensitivity: For Those Affected by Eating Disorders As we explore the topic of fasting in this post, we acknowledge that this may be a sensitive area for those who are journeying through or recovering from eating disorders or disordered eating. If you feel this content might be unhelpful for you, we encourage you to take care of yourself and seek support from trusted individuals or professionals.
“We have fasted before you” they say, “Why aren’t you impressed?” This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned, lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Isaiah 58 v3,6-7
I know that a lot of people give things up for Lent – chocolate, sugar, alcohol – or even miss meals. And there is nothing wrong with this. But, if I am really honest with myself, Lent has morphed into a relaunch of my New Year’s resolutions which invariably means lose weight and get fit. Which doesn’t really have much to do with God at all – and I think falls short of what God had in mind when asking us to fast.
The scripture today suggests that God is not really interested in what we “give up” when we fast – he seems to be more interested in what we “take up”.
Any form of fasting generates time, energy and/or money – and God asks us to invest that into causes close to his heart. The reading today gives us a few ideas – but these big ideas can feel a bit out of reach can’t they?
However, God asks us to start with what we CAN do.
So can you thank a work colleague today for their help or put in a good word with the boss? Speak up for a mate who is being picked on?
Can you let a debt go – or forgive someone for hurting you and not hold it against them? Put a tin of tomatoes into the supermarket food bank, volunteer an hour with a charity – or at church. Sort through your clothes and give something to the local charity shop – and maybe pick up the phone to that difficult family member who you haven’t spoken to since Christmas…
...I think THIS is more like the fasting which God is calling for.
Not what we “give-up”, but what we “take-up”...
So today – what is God asking you to “take-up”?
