Nougat 21

Have you ever been fasting and it felt flat, or prayed and it felt empty? Maybe we need to check our spirits. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I remember the shock I felt on that day when I discovered intermittent fasting. I had a narrow view of fasting that saw fasting as the domain of the religious. No matter that in English our first meal of the day is called break-fast. (Got it, break our fast from the previous evening?). For me, fasting was a very spiritual practice, in whichever faith tradition; and so had no thought of fasting as a dietary method. In the bigger scheme of things, after I gained awareness; it made lots of sense; especially since doctors also recommend fasting for certain exams.

Isaiah’s message suggests that if our approach and/or attitude toward God during a spiritual fast is ‘incorrect’; then it may be that we are simply exercising an intermittent fast. Hear what Isaiah says matters most when we engage in spiritual fasts:

Positive Relationships with God and Humanity

We should not only humble ourselves in God’s presence; but we need to also live at peace with others. This may have been the thinking behind Romans 12:8, which invites peaceable living, while speaking on matters of God’s Spirit. Of course, this is likely to be a challenge when fasting, simply because God’s command/request often becomes a point of temptation for us believers. So don’t be too surprised if everyone/others in our vicinity seem to be more challenging than usual.

Affirming Human Dignity

For sure, this seems to be a call for a fasted life; and not just for select/holy days. It’s not necessarily at the time of a fast that we should present exemplary behavior; but always. Especially in this era where there’s an evangelistic element to our faith. Failure to recognize and affirm human dignity is a clear offense to God; thus we should always seek to exercise integrity towards all with whom we work.

So does it then mean that we avoid a spiritual fast until our lives are perfect? Absolutely no! But it does mean we ought to search our hearts as we seek to live our faith and grow in God’s grace. Or, we might find that we’re getting our physical health repaired via intermittent fasting rather than genuinely seeking God’s face.

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May all we seek be found in Christ