This past week the Christian season of "Lent" began. This the 40 days leading up to the death and rebirth of Jesus Christ. It is a time that many in the Christian faith choose something that they will give up for 40 days in remembrance that Jesus gave His life for us.
The idea of fasting is usually a part of Lent, which has its roots in the Jewish religion. The ancient Jews fasted during times of mourning, as a sign of repentance, as preparation for an encounter with God, and as a companion to prayer. There are many forms of fasting that one can choose from:
The most interesting "fast" I can think of is fasting from time spent on something. This is where there is an opportunity to examine where one's time is being spent in an undisciplined or unbalanced way, and use these 40 days as a testimony to the power of re-prioritizing one's time.
For example, by watching less television and instead taking part of that time to sit down with our children or our spouse, or by spending less time on email/internet and re-focusing that time during the 40 days to reading , discussing, or relating to others.
I personally like this last interpretation of "fasting" the most of all - after all, time is our most precious commodity in our lives - it is the thing that , more than anything else, tends to get us out of balance, it is the thing that neglected family or loved ones wish they could get more of from us.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to bring time back into balance and experience what a gift it can be when thoughtfully balanced in the things that are most dear to us. Many people approach Lent as a somber time of giving up something we love. Why not use it as a time for regaining balance gaining something we've lost, such as precious time with others?
The idea of fasting is usually a part of Lent, which has its roots in the Jewish religion. The ancient Jews fasted during times of mourning, as a sign of repentance, as preparation for an encounter with God, and as a companion to prayer. There are many forms of fasting that one can choose from:
- -Fasting from food or drink
- -Fasting from words (i.e. words of criticism or negativity)
- -Fasting from set behaviors (i.e. bad habits)
The most interesting "fast" I can think of is fasting from time spent on something. This is where there is an opportunity to examine where one's time is being spent in an undisciplined or unbalanced way, and use these 40 days as a testimony to the power of re-prioritizing one's time.
For example, by watching less television and instead taking part of that time to sit down with our children or our spouse, or by spending less time on email/internet and re-focusing that time during the 40 days to reading , discussing, or relating to others.
I personally like this last interpretation of "fasting" the most of all - after all, time is our most precious commodity in our lives - it is the thing that , more than anything else, tends to get us out of balance, it is the thing that neglected family or loved ones wish they could get more of from us.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to bring time back into balance and experience what a gift it can be when thoughtfully balanced in the things that are most dear to us. Many people approach Lent as a somber time of giving up something we love. Why not use it as a time for regaining balance gaining something we've lost, such as precious time with others?
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