Fast Forward

A classic theme in the season of Lent is fasting.  It is one of the traditional "Lenten Disciplines" along with prayer, repentance, study and works of love. The fact that it exists as one of these might imply that the rest of the year we are free to focus on its counterbalance: feasting. And don't we love that idea! If this agrees with your line of thinking then I've got very good news for you: We don't have to wait till Lent is over to feast.

But, of course, there's a caveat.

People frequently think in terms of fasting from something; foods, especially sweets, and, for some reason in particular--chocolate. (Please, pick on something else!) Actually, refraining from most any of our guilty pleasures will probably qualify according to this definition of fasting.

But biblically-speaking, there are two things worth reminding ourselves of here. First, fasting is more than a physical behavior. It's actually, first and foremost, spiritual in nature. In this definition a physical act takes on symbolic value as it points us to the spiritual dimension of our lives. In other words, the real purpose of our fasting is not to help us lose weight. Sorry.

"But..." you object, "...that should make God happy, too, right?" Ha! Nice try! But no. Such thinking is totally ego-centric and precisely the opposite of fasting's real intent; to help us more deeply understand and more joyfully live in intimate relationship with God and all "things."

The second reminder is this: Biblically speaking, we are encouraged not just to fast from something but for something. We are called to fast forward...to fast for some purpose that is out there beyond ourselves. What might that be? Well, here's the nice thing: We each get to choose. John the Baptist might have had this idea in mind when he said of Jesus, "He must increase and I must decrease." (John 3:30)

Consider the following words from UCC Church of Canada Sunday School Curriculum and then let's walk the walk together. Try one of these for a day, a week, or for the whole season of Lent. Or, let's be creative and make up our own fast/feast Lenten discipline. Then we will really be doing Lent.

Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.

       Fast from criticism; Feast on praise.

Fast from self-pity; Feast on joy.

       Fast from bitterness; Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from jealousy; Feast on love.

       Fast from discouragement; Feast on hope.

Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.

       Fast from selfishness; Feast on service.

Fast from fear; Feast on faith.

       Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.

       Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.