Christian Fasting, Injustice, and Rewards

What????Christians can fast like that?That's what I thought when someone suggested I give up TV and movies for Lent.Something's wrong with this suggestion!Hmmm.What was wrong dawned on me recently when I watched actress Bridget Moynahan share why she's taken up The Live Below the Line Challenge to only spend $1.50 a day for one week on food and drink.The point of the challenge is to raise awareness of global poverty and give to the poor the money you save on food.

How stupid of me!

Duh!Fasting isn't so much about what I give up.It's about using the time or money saved to give to others!

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:to loose the chains of injusticeand untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed freeand break every yoke?Is it not to share your food with the hungryand to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them,and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?(Isaiah 28:6-7)

5 reasons for Christian fasting

In his book, Fasting, Scot McKnight details four areas of Christian fasting:

1. undoing injustice

2. releasing the oppressed

3. feeding the hungry

4. providing sanctuary for the homeless

And I'll add a 5th

5. reconciling, embracing, and enjoying your own family (end of Isaiah 58:7)

So my friend wasn't wrong to fast TV and movies.I just didn't see that she was replacing the time it took to watch TV every evening with her commitment to work at the homeless shelter.My bad.

What does fasting look like for you?

Maybe you've been looking at fasting a little wrong.It's never too late to gear shift if you discover you've done it wrong ... *she says with a guilty look in her eye.*I suggest that you be specific.You'll have more chance of succeeding if you can identify these two things before you begin your fast.

• What are you fasting from?

• Which of the 5 areas mention above will you give your time or money to during your fast?

For example:My fast of choice for Lent is to give up certain foods via the Daniel Fast.And the money I save on this fasting plan will be given to humanitarian relief through The Joshua Fund.

Here's the rewards

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,and your healing will quickly appear;then your righteousness will go before you,and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.(Isaiah 58:8)

Awesomeness, right?God's got you covered.You choose to fast His way... and HE responds with rewards for you:

• Insight, revelation, and clarity replaces confusion, depression, and other nasty, dark things

• Healing takes over in your spirit, soul, and body

• Your righteousness goes before you into every situation

• And God's own glory is your rear guard

Now who wouldn't want that on their daily agenda?

This week

Fasting builds a legacy in both the physical realm and the spiritual realm.This week, if you aren't fasting for Lent already, choose one day to fast.Make a decision about where you will spend the time and money you save giving to others.Catch you next week ... or on Facebook,SusanIf you found this post helpful, please share on one of your social media sites or email it to a friend.And for more posts on Lent and fasting, click here.