Fast

Fast

He must increase, but I must decrease.

I DIDN’T GROW UP with a Lenten tradition. In fact, it wasn’t until I completed a forty-day sugar fast a few years ago that I truly appreciated the practice and symbolism of fasting.

Up until then, I largely viewed fasting as a form of self-discipline. As a teenager, I watched friends give up drinking pop or eating chocolate during Lent, and it seemed like a test of their will. There was a part of me that resonated with that idea, because whenever circumstances in my life have been beyond my control, I have clung to things I could control: decluttering my belongings, purging my schedule, creating rhythms to help manage my household. Those are useful actions, but they were all about me—my need for control. And so, when I made the decision to fast, I thought it was one more area of self-improvement, another kind of decluttering. But as I pivoted from the sugar fast to Lent and found myself experiencing the presence of God in new ways, I was forced to rethink that perspective.

Reading through the gospel of John, I was struck by the story of John the Baptist. Though he had a vibrant ministry, he recognized that his true mission was preparing the way for Jesus. When John’s followers complained to him that Jesus was baptizing people—a role they considered to be John’s—he didn’t respond with the outrage they expected. Instead, he simply said he was glad to hear it. Comparing himself to a groomsman rather than the bridegroom, he said that Jesus must increase, while he must decrease.

I was struck by the humility of John’s posture. Despite possessing influence and his own ministry, John offered his life’s work to the living Christ. Similarly, fasting is a physical representation of the spiritual humbling of our hearts, removing the focus from ourselves and placing it squarely on Christ. When we fast from our reliance on the comforts of this world, doing so increases our desire for more of Jesus: more time with him, more time in his Word, and more friendship with one who loves us deeply.

Lord, thank you that when we focus less on ourselves, we’re able to focus more on you. Give us the courage to do so. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: If you are able to, fast from one meal. Spend that time praying and reading God’s Word.