Several days ago a friend of mine hooked my wife and I up with a couple guest passes to the employee store of the company he works for. His company makes shoes, really, really cool shoes. Once in a great while we receive a guest pass and get to shop at the same store and receive the same discount all of the employees shop at. Whenever we go, I have the same feeling I did as a kid when I would go to Toys R Us because I really like these cool shoes.
As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed a line of people beginning to form along the curb. Most of these people were just sitting on the pavement, but a couple brought chairs and one even had a board game. Before my wife could ask what they were doing, I informed her (because I knew she would ask) that they were waiting in line to purchase some brand new limited addition shoe that would be coming out later that night.
As we walked around the store, I overheard a couple of employees talking about those people in line. I was so shocked at what they said, I had to interrupt to make sure what they said was true. The confirmation of my suspicion was overwhelming! These people were not waiting in line for the afternoon; they would be waiting in line overnight to be there first to get these shoes. As the reality of their commitment to rubber, Velcro + laces began to sink in, something in me began to question these sneaker lovers and then myself. Who waits overnight for shoes, especially in March? What makes these shoes that much cooler than every other pair of cool shoes here? Is there anything that I would wait overnight for? Are my shoes cool? Is there anything I have ever wanted that badly? How badly do I want God? Would I be willing to wait in the pouring rain all night for Him?
One of the things I love about the disciples is how they literally left everything to follow Jesus. For Peter, Andrew, James and John it was their nets (Matthew 4:18-22), for Matthew it was his tax collecting booth (Matthew 9:9). These men left more than just their businesses; they left family, friends and lifestyle. It is a clear picture of the reality of following Jesus. It will cost us something, perhaps even everything. Jesus said it best in Matthew 10:37-38 " 37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Fasting is difficult. It entails something of us. Sacrifice. Surrender. Commitment. It requires us to give up something that we love for someone that we love. But in the end we grow closer to Jesus and our faith in Him increases and that is far more valuable than any pair of really cool shoes.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Towards a Lavish Fast
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42
Fasting is a spiritual discipline of disengagement. We purposefully abstain from something, food, entertainment, etc. Our desire is to grow closer to Christ, express greater devotion to Him and develop sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.
Consider the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-41. We see that lavish devotion involves offering the Lord plenty of unstructured time. Often this passage is taught with respect to priorities, where we are encouraged to give to God first. Martha is bustling about attending to “priorities” while Mary is simply sitting at Jesus feet. Upon Martha’s objection, Jesus compliments Mary saying she has chosen a better way. The implication teased out by most teachers is that Martha is not doing wrong, but that Mary has her priorities straight, and it’s a legitimate conclusion.
But ordering one’s priorities is not simply a question of sequence. It is also a question of quantity. One cannot give God the first few minutes of each day and legitimately call it a priority because God happens to be the first in a list of activities. Again, a lavish expenditure of time is in view.
With Easter coming soon, we’ve been called to fast for the 21 days prior. That fast can become a powerful expression of worship if we are lavish in our embrace of it. What might that look like for you? If you’re a single mom working and raising your kids, it might be lavish to fast your morning coffee, spending those extra 10-15 minutes in prayerful communion with your Savior contending for His Kingdom. That’s lavish.
If you’re someone who has far more time and resources, it might mean fasting those weekends you might normally spend at your beach home, devoting that time instead to reading your Bible, talking with God, and praying for those who will receive the Savior this Easter.
If Jesus response to the Widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44) teaches us anything, it teaches us that what is “lavish” will look different depending on your circumstances. It also teaches us that God honors those who “spend” so generously on Him. In short, what honors God and invites His blessing is obedience motivated by love. He calls us to pray and to fast, and ultimately to worship Him. He’s far less interested that we simply check a duty off our list in pursuit of the next to-do item.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline of disengagement. We purposefully abstain from something, food, entertainment, etc. Our desire is to grow closer to Christ, express greater devotion to Him and develop sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.
Consider the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-41. We see that lavish devotion involves offering the Lord plenty of unstructured time. Often this passage is taught with respect to priorities, where we are encouraged to give to God first. Martha is bustling about attending to “priorities” while Mary is simply sitting at Jesus feet. Upon Martha’s objection, Jesus compliments Mary saying she has chosen a better way. The implication teased out by most teachers is that Martha is not doing wrong, but that Mary has her priorities straight, and it’s a legitimate conclusion.
But ordering one’s priorities is not simply a question of sequence. It is also a question of quantity. One cannot give God the first few minutes of each day and legitimately call it a priority because God happens to be the first in a list of activities. Again, a lavish expenditure of time is in view.
With Easter coming soon, we’ve been called to fast for the 21 days prior. That fast can become a powerful expression of worship if we are lavish in our embrace of it. What might that look like for you? If you’re a single mom working and raising your kids, it might be lavish to fast your morning coffee, spending those extra 10-15 minutes in prayerful communion with your Savior contending for His Kingdom. That’s lavish.
If you’re someone who has far more time and resources, it might mean fasting those weekends you might normally spend at your beach home, devoting that time instead to reading your Bible, talking with God, and praying for those who will receive the Savior this Easter.
If Jesus response to the Widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44) teaches us anything, it teaches us that what is “lavish” will look different depending on your circumstances. It also teaches us that God honors those who “spend” so generously on Him. In short, what honors God and invites His blessing is obedience motivated by love. He calls us to pray and to fast, and ultimately to worship Him. He’s far less interested that we simply check a duty off our list in pursuit of the next to-do item.
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