Fast Week Inspirations & Preparations

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Today is considered Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was hailed by crowds as the Messiah come to save them, though not in the way they thought. It begins a week leading to Jesus' death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter.

As we approach Good Friday, and the time of solemn reflection on what Jesus did, many Christians observe Lent. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting, a time of connecting with the Father in prayer and preparation for beginning His ministry. Lent isn't something we have to do, it's something some choose to do; and some folks give up (sacrifice) some action or thing or comfort or whatever in order to focus more on God.

For Lent, I have been fasting from watching my regular TV shows, and it's shown me a lot about how much I want to watch them, how connected I am to the fictional stories being told, and how generally I spend my 'downtime' at home. I already know that when my TV fast is over after Easter, I'll be dropping a few shows and not bothering with them anymore. Yet I know the temptation to fill those 'slots' with other shows will be there. Now I know watching TV is not a sin, but I do want to honor God with how I spend my time, because I know everything I do is a form of worship. Instead, I've been filling that time in other ways, some that glorify Him and some that don't.

And I feel convicted that during this TV fast, I haven't spent much time reflecting on Jesus' atonement and what He did for me, which was really the point: sacrificing something for God and using that time to meet with Him in prayer and relationship.

One of my pastors, Bill Clem, is in the middle of a 40 day solid food fast during this Lent season, and each day he is posting reflections on his fast and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. (His fast ends today, in fact.) The more I thought about it, the more convicted I became reading some of Pastor Bill's notes (and those of another pastor, James), that I realized I SHOULD be reflecting on the Atonement of Jesus and letting the weight of it (and the freedom it brings) seep into me and really feed me. So last week, I decided to begin a fast tonight.

The longest I've ever attempted to fast was 2 or 3 days, so I knew a 40 day fast would be too much for me (or for anyone, without medical oversight). Instead, starting tomorrow and all of next week, I will be fasting from solid food...from Sunday night until Easter afternoon, about 6 or 7 days depending on how you count it. I'll limit myself to a glass of some healthy juice in the morning (probably carrot or pomegranate), water during the day, and then another glass of juice at night.

Each day I'll try to post some of my reflections on what Jesus did for me and how it's affecting me each day, as well as how my hunger is pointing me to Jesus. (I doubt they'll be as detailed or deep as my pastors', but still....)

In preparation, I'll also be sharing a song each day that makes me think of the cross of Christ, and what He suffered there, accomplished there, and did for me (and can do for you). Some of these songs will be by artists you've never heard of, so I'll ask you to take a moment to listen.

Today's song is a preparation song for my fast by a woman used to sing worship for the church where Jesus saved me (in Santa Monica, CA). I love her voice. This song is one of my favorites on her album, Make A Way (link takes you to the iTunes store, so you can check out her tracks).

THIS IS WHY YOU CAME

By Becki Ryan

I am a famine,

my heart's a drought.

My works are nothing,

my faith is doubt.

I beg for blessing

for my own gain.

I drink of Your mercy

but walk away unchanged.

And I am standing in the face of my need,

a soul that only You can redeem.

This is why You came.

This is why You died.

This is why I needed You to save my life.

So take what I've done...

what I'm capable of...

God, I am one heart under Your blood.

You blood is the fountain

Your love flows from.

You come in forgiveness

and I come undone.

I can barely believe it,

that You would take my shame.

You wear my weakness

and I wear Your name.

You saw me standing in the face of my need.

I am a soul that only You could redeem.

This is why You came.

This is why You died.

This is why I needed You to save my life.

So take what I've done...

all I'm capable of...

God, I am one heart under Your blood.

This is why You came.

This is why You died.

This is why I needed You to save my life.

So take what I've done...

all I'm capable of...

God, I am one heart under Your blood.

You saw me standing in the face of my need.

I am a soul that only You could redeem.

This is why You came.

This is why You died.

This is why I needed You to save my life.

Thank you, Jesus, for saving my life, and for making it Yours.