Embrace the Within no. 139

“And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head [as you normally would to groom your hair] and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by people, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:16-18 AMP

Everyone fasts. We can not possibly eat all the time. BUT fasting for a purpose is an important part of our walk with the Lord. Fasting is also a benefit to our physical health as well which is an important part of our walk. Being a mess is no way to be an example of the Kingdom of God.

Life is messy. Life is filled with so many situations and obstacles we cannot control. BUT here in the Sermon on the Mount, Christ again talks about making choices that are directly under our control. We can serve the Lord and treat that service as a burden or we can serve the Lord and treat that service as our obedient duty. We can use our service to draw attention to ourselves or we can use our service to draw attention to God. And we get to choose.

This idea of secrecy in our deeds underlies the Sermon on the Mount. Prayer is to be done secretly, charity is to be done secretly, and fasting is to be done secretly. And a lot of that has to do with my choices. I get to choose if this walk with the Lord is about me or is it about Him.

When I first got started on my walk with the Lord, I had no idea it was going to be a walk with Him. I thought I was just trying to get healthy. BUT I neglected to understand then that any sort of health is going to be directly dependent on the Lord. I can’t be spiritually healthy without Him. And spiritual health is a key component of overall health.

Fasting is just another part of the overall health picture. And the secrecy of fasting is an important part of being spiritually healthy. While the act itself does have physical benefits, fasting is primarily important in my spiritual walk with the Lord. Fasting helps me focus on what is truly important and my obedience to the Lord.

So, incorporate some form of fasting into your walk with the Lord? Take some time to give up something you would choose to occupy your focus and replace it with more time with the Lord. I assure you that spending more time with the Lord is not time wasted. Take the time to show your obedience to the Lord in following His Way to be nearer to Him?

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH