Once again, the season of Lent is here.  It is a time in which, for hundreds of years at least, Christians have traditionally “fasted” – gone without food [or other things] in order to concentrate more on The Lord – the One who provides all of life’s needs.  It is a time for remembering that Man does not live on bread alone.  It is a time for remembering that life – true, meaningful, abundant life – comes from the very words of The Lord.

Of course, in my “tribe” of Christianity, Lent never really caught on.  In fact, we seem to have a strong aversion to fasting under any circumstances.  We very much prefer the descriptions of The Kingdom which center around feasting instead of fasting. 

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.  But, Jesus did say that His followers WOULD [not “might”] fast while waiting for His return.  And, I don’t think He meant that skipping a meal because you’re too busy to stop and eat was going to count as fasting.  I wonder if my “tribe” is missing out on some blessings that those who actually participate in Lent receive when they briefly turn away from food and fun and “me”, and spend more time focusing on the Creator, The Sustainer, the Giver of all things good.  Perhaps my “tribe” could learn some things from other “tribes”.

The 40 days of Lent are a reflection of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness after His baptism and before He began His ministry.  Jesus finally broke His fast when special messengers from Heaven came to Him and took care of His needs, both physical and spiritual.  Can you imagine this moment?  Can you imagine how grateful Jesus must have been to see, once again, beings whom He had known and loved since before the creation of the world, rushing to His side?  Can you imagine how lovingly they cared for Him, serving Him living water and the best of Heaven’s cuisine, restoring strength to His body and refreshment to His spirit?  Did any angels ever have a mission they desired more than this – to shower the gift of Life on the One who had spoken Life into the world in The Beginning?

In addition to symbolically portraying the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness, perhaps there is another reason that Lent lasts “only” 40 days [well, technically 46, but Sundays don’t count, I think].  Maybe 40 days of doing without, of being without, is all the human body is designed to handle.  Maybe processes within the body that are necessary to sustain life begin breaking down after 40 days of doing without.  Maybe we start losing control of our reactions and responses after 40 days of being without.  Maybe the human spirit itself begins to suffer after 40 days without.  

Choosing to observe a Lenten fast means that you have chosen to seek the blessings that will arise from concentrating on The Lord.  Your eyes and mind and heart are open to finding these blessings.  And you also know there is an end coming in which you will find both refreshment and renewed strength to walk closer to The Lord as you live and serve among His people.  Choosing to fast in this way will take you to a new and better and deeper and closer experience of The Lord.   

But I think the operative word in all of this is “choosing”.  Missing meals because of destitution or famine is not “choosing” to fast.  I know there are those who, being thrust unwillingly into such circumstances, somehow, through great strength of character and spirit, nevertheless find blessings.  Similarly, finding blessings in other difficult circumstances happens.  Years ago, I had a friend who, while dying from a horrible disease, said, in reference to the disease, “How can something which brings me closer to God be bad?”  He had not chosen this as a way to deepen his faith.  Yet, he was able to let The Spirit bring him peace and an amazing strength of faith despite not choosing this.  Oh how I envied him his faith and strength.  Oh how I wish I could tell you that his example served to develop the same kind of faith and strength in me.  

For over a year now, an unexpected, unwanted, un-asked-for, unrelenting “fast” has been observed in my home.  But, unlike my dying friend, I am struggling to find the blessings that surely must be coming my way.  I mean, if there aren’t any blessings to come from Renee’s sudden and unexpected death, then what was the point?  Was it just to remind me of the brevity and fragility of life?  Was it just to open my eyes to show me how many people loved her?  Was it just to teach me how much I needed and depended on her?  I knew all of that already.  I didn’t need such a costly re-education.  I didn’t choose this.

And so, I keep on waiting – patiently sometimes, less patiently most of the time – for all the great blessings that He surely has in store for me as a result of my long and continuing “fast”.  These blessings, when, and if, they come, must be wonderfully amazing.  How can they not be?  The price I have paid, and continue to pay, is so, so much more than I can afford.    

Ambrose Ramsey | Pastor and Shepherd