The Grace Street Blog

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” – Matthew 6:16

Ash Wednesday sprung up on me out of nowhere this week. I woke up and began my day without any thought of Lent. It wasn’t until my mother messaged me on my way to work and briefly mentioned it that I had realized I had let an important period of time pass.

Yes, she told me this around 7am, and normally, I would have been relieved that I found out about something like this on the day of instead of days or weeks later. But not that day. Truly, I never considered Lent to be something I practiced until a few years ago. And even then, most of the time, I would spend a few moments analyzing my lifestyle and choose what I would fast on that very same day, or maybe the one after.

Nonetheless, this year felt different. I sat there praying in my car, hoping to find something I could fast from before I arrived at work. Yet something else came to mind. I did not prepare for this special time.

The preparation I mean is not physical, nor even emotional, but spiritual. I had not sat in solitude to allow God to reveal anything to me regarding what I ought to focus on surrendering to Him.

I felt frustrated with myself all day because I felt like my ignorance resulted in missing this great opportunity to spend a period of time devoting a specific thing to God.

But then, the next day came. It was as though the thing I needed to surrender was clear as day. I woke up and felt a combination of conviction and peace. The thing the Lord brought to my mind had been something He had been showing me in little moments since the day I made this move to South Carolina last July.

One word rang in my ear and I immediately knew a few things I had to give up for God to have room to change my heart.

Now, I understand not all Christian’s practice Lent. Though I do not believe your salvation depends on it, I find it to be a humbling and valuable practice. Especially because this particular fast is done alongside thousands across the globe who are seeking out revelation, change, wisdom, and the heart of Christ at the same time.

However, the thing I am fasting is not nearly as important as the why.

Not growing up Christian made me accept the fact that there were many things I did not participate in, nor experience. It hurt for a while, making me feel outcast, but the worst part of it was that it led me to be quite a cynical believer.

I didn’t care to be a part of the things that exceeded serving and attending church each week. The practices that were intended to impact myself beyond reading the Bible, prayer, and singing worship did not interest me. I was hard headed and my heart had it’s walls up as I considered these extra practices to be “excessive”.

But as I experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit over the years, such practices do not only seem intriguing, but necessary. Not because of the actions themselves, but because of what opportunities they create.

I have come to believe in the great impact of self-denial and discipline physically, mentally, and emotionally. All for the sake of spiritual change, that I might know Jesus more and be more like Him.

So here we come to the purpose and significance of this period of time called Lent.

As I researched this 40-day fast, I came to find it can be practiced in so many different ways. This point alone, I believe, gives us the freedom to come to God and let Him work in us in as many unique ways as there are people in the world. The Lord created each one of us with different passions, desires, talents, strengths, and weaknesses, and yet He still knows how to meet us where we are and communicate with us in a way we would understand.

What this fast opens the door for is more than just self-discipline. Surely, we could acquire some beneficial habits or boundaries during this time, but that is just the surface of the goodness God could use Lent to bring.

Matthew 6:16-18 discusses fasting. It mentions how it is not to be a public practice, that we would find pride or applause in, but rather a private, intimate practice of surrender and love between us and God.

But how difficult is that message to a people so focused on how others perceive them?

Being seen is what drives many to do what they think will bring praise, love, acceptance, and ultimate satisfaction. Yet our God calls us to deny that path and live a lifestyle where the motives for our actions are rooted in loving God first.

Fasting is not easy. I have done it with food and material things in the past and I suffered a lot. But it was worth every moment of the pain and frustration because it opened the door in my heart for God to move in ways I wouldn’t let Him move before.

When we are holding on so tightly to our desires or whatever we deem most valuable, we become dependent on them for contentment and purpose. It is not until we let go and offer them to God so He can replace them, can we finally see the freedom we have in belonging to the One who created us and every one of our needs.

In the moments of deprivation from whatever it is we choose to surrender, we will endure physical and spiritual warfare. When we lack food, our bodies rumble and growl for fulfillment. And when we let go of habits or material things we sought comfort or identity in, our minds struggle with the lies of the enemy, that we are not good enough, complete enough, nor have any other path to wholeness beyond what the world offers. But my friend, we must not let our temporary discomfort prevent us from the everlasting redemption we can experience by wholehearted community with and longing for God.

The Lord leads the way in the “unseen” practices of life. He works wonders that many of us never even realize or thank Him for. Yet He is faithful and loving nonetheless.

My dear friend, offering something we love is no easy task. But what a great blessing it is to know and be known by our God? We get to live and walk from the starting point of victory Christ already claimed over every other thing seeking to steal your heart and drain you. May the significance of this why lead you to make room for God to move in areas of your life you long to have made new. That being done by the One who is Life, Love, Peace, All-Powerful…and most sweetly, our Father.

Thoughts To Consider:

Where might God be inviting you into unseen obedience rather than visible performance?

What is something in your life that you depend on for comfort, identity, or control more than you depend on God?

How can you intentionally create space in your daily life for God to move during this season?

Consider what might change if you trusted that God is not trying to deprive you, but to restore you.

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” – Matthew 6:16