Empty to Be Filled: Why I’m Fasting and Feasting This Thanksgiving
One of the rhythmic contrasts that we see all throughout the Bible is feasting and fasting. I purposely put feasting first because it comes to us first. Think of Genesis 3 … before the reality of humanity was tarnished by sin, a man and his wife lived in a garden full of good food. The thought of kiwis, mangoes, plums, carrots, bananas, and greens in their most natural state may not bring a rumble to your tummy but the big takeaway for us is that God placed us in an environment of abundance and told us to enjoy. The Church has not done a great job in empowering people to enjoy … but that’s because we often overdo it. Sin enters into the world by following desire and not exercising restraint and that’s the same problem that many of us have today. Our stomachs are loud but our souls are quiet.
For me, this has been an increasingly challenging season of overindulging. Since the hurricane season in October, my morning workouts have lessened and my sweet-tooth has been appeased. My meals have gotten more frequent and my scale has been used less frequently. I am and have always been an emotional eater and much like I’ve mentioned in the past… if you see me gaining a few pounds, you should ask about my soul. As I went on a walk last week, I realized that I have been slipping back into old habits but that isn’t just about a lack of self-control. I am worshipping in the wrong way and that is a bit more of a problem than a pulpit joke can display.
Let’s be honest, we don’t grow through excusing creeping habits. We grow through faith and repentance. We grow through confession and accountability. We grow through practicing our faith with one another. So here it is … I have fed my stomach far more than I have fed my soul in the last couple months and that’s sinful. Overconsumption or gluttony is not of the Lord because it says that we determine what’s sufficient for ourselves apart from what God says. We attempt to be gods of our own lives and our desires are how we attempt to rule over his kingdom. Paul says it this way when describing the danger of becoming a person that lives off of desire:
18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things.
Philippians 3:18-19 CSB
Although I hesitated to share this because it was a message that God spoke to me about my life, I do believe that it applies to all of us. We are not going to see ourselves grow to look more like Christ more by going after more of what pleases our stomachs but does nothing for our souls. The early saints understood this and that was a big reason behind their fasting. They would purposely keep themselves from being governed by their desires by denying themselves of what wasn’t needed to honor God in their living. But it didn’t end there. They also feasted weekly on the Sabbath to celebrate and enjoy God’s goodness. My problem … (much like many of you) is that my heart wants 7 Sabbaths per week, not for God but for myself. And that’s not the way of Jesus.
“My problem … (much like many of you) is that my heart wants 7 Sabbaths per week, not for God but for myself. And that’s not the way of Jesus.”
This week, I will be fasting on Wednesday and Friday, much like the early church did. They chose Wednesday to be reminded of the day that Christ was betrayed at a feast and Friday as a reminder of the crucifixion, where our lamb was slain. During Thanksgiving week, these fasting days are just before and after a feast so it is a wonderful way to practice the rhythm of balance. I am fasting from sun up to sun down because I have had some experience with fasting but if you haven’t done any fasting before, maybe you can start with skipping breakfast or breakfast and lunch. The point is you actually give up something and experience fighting through the desire to always be fed immediately.
Lastly, I will remind you all of something that John Mark Comer often shares in regard to fasting. The purpose of fasting is not necessarily for us to hear from God but for us to:
1. Offer ourselves to God for His pleasure
2. Grow in Holiness
and 3. Look to amplify our prayer lives.
I share this as a token of confession and invitation to my covenant family. As you reflect on God’s goodness and your thankfulness, consider not only celebrating it with abundance but also with abstinence.
Grace & Peace
