A funny thing to be talking about during Lent isn’t it? I read a great devotional a couple days ago that is really sticking with me. As I had written a short time ago I’ve been fasting off and on and praying about a variety of things during this season. Jesus instructs His followers about the dos and don’ts of fasting in Matthew 6. He says “And when you fast, (Note the assumption that you are going to do this. He didn’t say IF you decide to fast He said WHEN you do. Because it’s a time to draw nearer to the Lord and doesn’t everyone need to do that?) do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces (by frowning or pouting maybe? I have also witnessed people who complained verbally about the imposition of ‘having to’ fast from something and not be able to partake in everything. Hmm.)
The passage goes on to say that you should carry on as normal, so that you’re not drawing attention to your self and the sacrifice you’re making. I have been aware of this instruction for a long time. It’s a lot like Jesus’ instruction about prayer. He said to go get by yourself, close the door, and pray to your Father in Heaven. Don’t stand on the street corner making a show of yourself with your fancy clothes and your fancy words. God isn’t impressed by our antics.
The other scripture that was tied into this particular devotional and the one that was an “ah ha” for me is John 4:32. Jesus said, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Ooooooh secret food! Yes!
I’ve read this scripture as well, but this time I reflected on the results of my past fasting experiences and realized that, yes. There have been very special moments. Moments of clarity. Moments of inspiration, new ideas, plans and/or words that just seemed to flow. Moments of emotion that needed to be felt or expressed. Heightened worship.
This is very special food. Food that the world doesn’t know about. It’s secret food that is available to the believer for feasting, but not many of us practice this discipline and sit at this banquet table the Lord has prepared for us.
Not many of us have experienced the joy and peace and sometimes flat out HIGH that comes from obedience, serving, and walking in center of God’s will. That’s sad. When I think of the many meals I’ve prepared. For one, for 20 or 200. They take planning and preparation. They take inspiration and definitely some skill. They take good old, roll up your sleeves, hard work.
Imagine the amount of effort God has gone to, to feed 8 billion people? Oh my! The skill. The inspiration. The time and planning and care. I’ve eaten some really really good food. But the food the Father has made can not be duplicated. There is no recipe. It’s not on the FOOD Network. But it is feast-worthy. Pull up a chair and taste for yourself!
