I’m probably the least qualified to talk about a fasted lifestyle, but I feel prompted to take a moment and reflect on this way of living.
A Fasted Lifestyle: The King went first
When Christ, a perfect man and sinless lamb, allowed himself to be sacrificed on the crucifix, it wasn’t for show. He was the priceless son of God; there was greater pain than any of us can imagine involved. After a completely obedient life, Jesus — the same Jesus that spoke the universe into existence — humbled himself before the very humans he created. Beaten, jeered, spat on and murdered, he endured the greatest injustice of history — all to make things right between us and Him, because He wants to know us.
Worship: Responding to the Greatness and Glory of God
A fasted lifestyle is the natural byproduct of being encountered by this reality. We don’t fast or worship or pray out of sheer duty and obedience — although there are times when it’s good for us to fast, pray and worship when we don’t feel like it. A fasted lifestyle looks like absolute surrender in all areas of our lives, tied with an ongoing resolve to systematically surrender our freedom for the sake of knowing Him more.
He surrendered to know us more. We surrender to know Him more.
So freedoms like food, sleep, community, music, coffee, discretionary time, chocolate, beer, wine — things that, by themselves, are holy and good — we willingly give over to Him for a period of time, so we can experience Him more fully.
To be clear, entering into fasting of any kind is not about earning a thing. Frankly, it’s not even about pleasing God. As Joe Couch says:
It’s about saying no to something we love for the sake of something we love more.
Practical next steps
Still your heart and mind and ask God what He wants you to surrender today. It might be that he wants you to wake up earlier or get alone for couple hours. He may want you to say “no” to sugar for the day or hide away in worship for the day.
Whatever He puts on your heart, just obey. And when it hurts because you miss it or are hungry or lonely, let that be a gentle reminder that you are giving up something you love for something you love more.
Allow a fasted lifestyle to become your new way of life. Allow God to call you into deeper places with Him, one small sacrifice at a time.