Like many parents, when I was preparing to have my first child, I wanted to be armed with all the information I could to be a good dad. I didn't want to make any mistakes, I wanted to be supportive to my wife, and the list goes on. The advice that was given to me, that I now give to other first-time dads, is that there is no manual or book on becoming a dad. You must take it one day at a time and allow God, your wife, and that child to teach you. When I think about my first fasts, I felt like the information was similar. But as I obeyed the Lord in doing it, I realized...these moments don't need to be treated the same way.
Fasting was woven into the 1st-century culture. It wasn't a specialized thing that was done "only when the Lord calls"; rather, it was a consistent practice that was a part of a Jewish person's everyday life. Children grew up watching and eventually participating in fasting practices. Communities held one another accountable. Fasting was the norm. However, in our context today, it's not the norm. In fact, back then, it would be weird to have someone around you who did not fast, whereas in today's society, the weird feeling has flipped 180 degrees. Along with that weird feeling comes unusual thoughts, stereotypes, stigmas, and fears connected to fasting. Frankly, a short 500-word article is not going to cut it as it pertains to the practice of fasting. Fasting requires discipleship.
Fasting calls for a 1 Corinthians 1:11 mentality. Paul implored the church at Corinth - Follow my example as I follow what Christ does. Since fasting doesn't have the community appeal it once did, there needs to be a greater emphasis on disicipling the practice of Fasting. You and I need to actually witness and be brought into the lives and practices of people who live the life of fasting. Which is why this podcast series was created.
I can't come to your home, sit down with you each hour of the day, and hold your hand through the hunger pangs. I can't call you to remind you of your why. But I can develop something that you can constantly repeat during your fasting seasons that will directly speak to many of the elements of fasting that will allow you not just to survive, but thrive in your fast. Just like many of us have parents or parental figures that are close to us that we can reach out to, they likely can't be there with us regarding the growing pains of parenting. In fact, they probably know it's best that they aren't there so you can develop in ways that the parenting experience will provide. But fasting is a bit different. What you will experience, no one can endure for you. At the same time, you can have a resource that will pilot and pull you through, helping you recognize the presence, power, and pull of God's Spirit in all aspects of your fasting journey.
This podcast is necessary because it is designed to disciple you through fasting. We don't have many discipleship tracks on fasting, and we have even fewer disciplers in the area of fasting. I don't have it all together - but such as I do have, I humbly offer it to you.
After listening, how could discipleship be expanded in fasting? What else could be said and done in your experience? See that comment section below? That's your opportunity to offer your life to others who are growing in the practice of fasting. Let's walk this road together!
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Comments
Hello, I just want to first say thank you for the podcast. I loved it and it is by far one of the best set of fasting lessons I have heard. Thank you for doing this.
I’m wondering if you could provide the worksheet and answer key? I would like to share this with my Spiritual Growth Pastor at my church. Currently I am on a 21 day fast and our church has them twice a year. I really think your content would help us in discovering a better understanding of fasting and prepare us better for the fasts we have at the church.
Thank you so much for your time.
Peace to you in the Lord Jesus Christ
Craig