Fasting is foolish

The (so called)foolishness of God is wiser than man’s (so called)wisdom, and the (so called)weakness of God is stronger than mans (so called)strength…God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:25, 27)

Fasting is not one of the spiritual practices that you do if you’re one of the “super radicals.” Fasting is what is supposed to be done by every single believer. Jesus talked about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount as something that everyone is supposed to do regularly. Not just when you need an answer to prayer, etc.

Here at IHOP-KC we have what’s called the “Global Bridegroom fast.” When John’s disciples came to Jesus and were asking Him why Jesus’ disciples didn't fast, Jesus said, “Why should they fast when the bridegroom is here among them? I tell you that there is coming a time when I will not be here, and then they will fast.” Fasting creates a space on the inside that we would long for the bridegroom.

As this bridegroom fast come to an end this month I am renewed in my thankfulness to the Lord for the glorious gift of fasting! I have felt the nearness of the Lord in a way that I haven’t felt in a long time. Yes, resisting some pleasurable things like food, etc does seem foolish to most people, but it is truly the wisdom of God.

I have re-signed up for the lifestyle of fasting as being one of the most necessary spiritual disciplines in the days which we are living in. As wickedness is increasing and becoming more and more abundant we must position ourselves in a place of weakness and dependence upon the Lord and fasting is one of the primary ways to do that!

One of my favorite quotes is: “Fasting reveals the level of foods mastery over you.”  This statement is so true! When I remove the element of food from my daily routine, it’s amazing how I suddenly have so many more ‘issues’ in my life! The reason for this is because when I fast I am coming into contact with the not so beautiful reality of what has been dwelling inside of me all along. The first expression that usually arises from within is pride, which expresses itself through anger and impatience!

We ask the question, “Why then would I fast? When I fast I just get angry!” The Lord would respond, “I want you to see and feel these issues inside of your heart because I want you to lean into me and ask me to help you. I want you to see that I am your only source of help.” He’s actually helping us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength by rooting out that which is not of Him.

When we fast, we are giving God the open invitation to begin chipping away at the unperceived sin which is within us. God loves us so much and wants us to be made into His likeness that He is committed to dealing with these issues whether we fast or not. Fasting is simply speeding up the process and is the voluntary way to go. Because He will purify us one way or the other, and the voluntary way is the way I want to go!!

Fasting does not earn us anything from God but it’s simply emptying oneself of pleasurable things (food, etc) which make us lean upon His strength and thus we cry out to him, “God come help me. You must increase in my life because now I see that I truly have nothing apart from you!”

Tip: Baby steps to fasting: Pray…“God, give me the desire to fast!”

© 2011 Justin Rizzo