Rhythms: Fasting
Matthew 6: 16- 21
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Of the rhythms that we are going through, the rhythm of fasting could be seen as the most daunting. Because it doesn’t involve taking up an action but instead relies on us giving something up, even if only for a short while. It is not in our nature as a society to give things up, rather we live in a materialistic gain culture and when it comes to giving things up in the way of fasting our minds tend to go straight to religious piety, a holier than thou attitude or lent. Giving something up, if it has an ethical code like Veganuary or for better ones health like Dry January, is not the same as fasting. Because it does bring with it a holy attitude, the action of fasting from something leads us closer to God. A theme which has continued throughout our patterns of rhythm beginning with giving and prayer. Within all of these Jesus has encouraged us to not announce our rhythms but instead carry them out in a way that God knows but no one else does.
Because there is a pattern in our passages of seeking the heavenly reward rather than an earthly one. When we fast we do not do it to show ourselves as worthy, we do it to become closer to the one who is worthy. This is shown by the second half of our passage, it is no coincidence that following fasting and a rhythm to live by Jesus goes on to talk about treasures in heaven. This is because we are not to store up earthly treasures as these are temporary and not long lasting, unlike the earthly treasures and relationship that we have with the father. The truth of the matter is, when we fast we are not giving up something just for the reward in heaven. We are using the time that we create by fasting to grow closer to God. Because we are ridding ourselves of the world’s distractions to reorientate ourselves to God and centre our lives towards him.
Practically, what does the rhythm of fasting look like? First of all it is not an ‘all or nothing’ situation, it’s ok to start small. We are striving towards the Father but we are still human. Think of what it is in your life that is causing you to be distracted or distant from God. If it is food you are thinking about fasting from, you could move towards eating a basic meal of soup or only fasting from one meal in the day. This will allow you more time to pray and read scripture. If it is technology you are thinking you might fast from, delete social media apps from your phone and spend the time you would have been scrolling on praying or reading scripture. There are many things in life that can cause us to be distracted and we can give these up for an hour a week to begin with, the rhythm can grow the more practice we have.
I’ve already touched on it but the next thing you could do is plan what you are going to do instead. This is because these rhythms that we are going through are linked and not to be done in isolation, when you give up something of this world you can then give your time to serve God, pray, read scripture or spend time with community. When you plan what you will do, fasting doesn’t become a baseless task. It is something that leads us to heavenly treasure.
When we fast we also need to consider the community around us, fasting can be difficult, missed meals can make us hangry, a digital fast can make us feel out of loop from the world around us. Fasting is not an excuse to go at people, remember we are to do it with a cheerful face and it is between us and God. We do not do it to get a reaction from people. The rhythm of fasting is something we do to be closer to heavenly treasure.
This being said, fasting is something that we can do in community, you might have a group of friends or a small group that you share meals with, you could take a day of fasting and then break fast together when you meet and share in scripture and prayer. But most of all, remember that it is for spiritual purpose. Welsh minister Martyn Lloyd Jones said “Fasting should really be made to include abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose.”
It isn’t about what you fast, it is about the intention and why you do it. We are called to spend our time and devote our rhythms to focusing on God. So be inspired today to take a step back from that which distracts you from God and instead focus on him, weaving together your fast with the rhythms of scripture and prayer.
Immy Rush
