Fasting, It's Not Easy

Friday after Ash Wednesday

The sun is shining in Kentucky today and that makes me happy.  It’s been a while since it hasn’t been masked by thick clouds.  I had wondered if I would ever see a blue sky again.

Today is the first Friday in Lent.  For many of us, it’s also a day of fasting.  I’m always reminded about how weak I am when it comes to spiritual disciplines and especially fasting.  It’s not easy.  And it’s not really about me trying to be a super spiritual person and deprive myself for the sake of depriving myself.  No, this day is more about creating space for reflection and prayer and entering into the sufferings of Jesus.  The spiritual disciplines point me to Him.  I certainly won’t go through the day and not realize that I’m fasting.  It’s 11:15 a.m. and meat is on my mind, let me tell you.  My body recoils at the discipline that it’s encountering.  Yet, I believe that making room for the Spirit to work in my life slowly changes me.  There won’t be a lot of noticeable change today, that’s for sure.  Hopefully, over time, as I give myself to these disciplines, I will be able to throw open the dark places in my soul and let the Light of Christ shine in every dark crevice.

A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me.

Amen.