Fasting

Lent has traditionally been known as a time for fasting for Christians. Fasting is choosing to give up some food, drink, activity or attitude for a defined period of time. Some give up a single food, drink etc like meat, sweets, coffee or alcohol. Others choose not to eat anything for say a day or three days. John Wesley fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays, which meant that he didn’t eat anything until mid-late afternoon on those days. We might choose to give up watching television or listening to music or going to movies. Every major religion practices fasting in some form or other. That says to me that there must be something to this practice. Besides which, Jesus doesn’t say “if you fast,” he says “when you fast.”
You may have noticed that none of the things or activities I listed above is evil or even harmful in moderation. Christians don’t fast from certain things because they are bad. Absolutely not! We fast from things that we would enjoy at other times because they are good—but not the ultimate good. Fasting helps us remember that life is more than food and fun. These are good gifts of God, who is the source of life and all that is good in it. While today some folks choose to give up gossiping or try to control their anger (both of which are noble pursuits), the Christian tradition usually involves fasting from something that is good and enjoyable.
In our day and time fasting may take on even greater importance for Christians. We live in a society in which our very identities are entangled with what we buy and consume. To advertisers, and, sadly enough, to many in the “religion business” we are consumers and little more—in short we are what we buy!
Fasting allows us to exercise a true choice (not just between brands) of a renewed relationship to the gifts of God. We can choose not to consume even those things which we enjoy. We are not defined by what we eat, buy, or do. We are beloved children of God, loved not because of what we can buy, but because it is the very nature of God to love. And we were put here on this earth to love others, not simply to consume what they have to offer.
Fasting may be the most countercultural thing a Christian can do these days. Besides fasting might just bring us closer to the God who is the source of love and all that is good. Which would be the point, I guess.