(Spoiler alert: none of them involve chocolate!)
Lent is here. One of the words often associated with Lenten practices is fasting. Many of us know that term as it applies to the medical world – fasting is practiced prior to surgeries that require general anesthesia for health reasons. Similarly, the use of the word in the religious world means skipping something for religious health reasons.
The ancient Hebrews used the word fasting. The prophet Isaiah asks, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?“ –Isaiah 58:6
In simple terms: fasting meant acts of worship and it calls us today to make the choice to help others in our words and in our deeds!
Here’s a fast top 10 for Lent:
- Fast from noise and listen more.
- Fast from nurturing the painful past and be reconciled.
- Fast from selfishness and be compassionate with others.
- Fast from complaining and celebrate simplicity.
- Fast from anger and be filled with peace.
- Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
- Fast from worrying and trust in God’s goodness.
- Fast from hurting words and use healing words of kindness.
- Fast from bitterness and be joyful.
- Fast from negativity and be hopeful.
Shalom, Paul