It’s the season of Lent, which means millions of people have decided to fast from something.

Many will post about it on social media (the irony is that many will fast from social media by telling everyone about it) and then proceed to tell us how miserable they are about the things they are fasting.

But is that the point?

Fasting is all over Scripture.

There is no command in the New Testament to fast, but in Matthew 6, Jesus seems to think we will do it as he says, “When you fast” (verse 16). Just like he said, “when you give” and “when you pray.”

What interesting about this context is giving (generosity), prayer and fasting have at heart, a desire to loosen our grip on something.

Giving loosens our grip on our stuff, and the role money plays in our life.

Prayer reminds us we are not in control of our lives or what will happen, that we need God.

Fasting is a way of letting go of the things that distract us. It might be things like food, social media, and Netflix.

Most Christians agree that prayer, giving and fasting are essential, just as Jesus said they are in Matthew 6, but many of us struggle to do it?

Why?

I think it’s hard. We wonder if it is worth the time.

Think for a moment.

Every (most anyway) follower of Jesus would say that they want to read their bible and pray more. Why don’t they? They would say that it is time. It is partly that, but also has to do with our desires

Fasting is a way of getting at both.

Fasting creates time, which helps us meet the desire we have to know God.

So, what things take your time that keeps you from spending time with Jesus? From meditating on Scripture? And prayer?

If it’s food, social media, Netflix, blogs. Fast from them. Take a day and don’t do those things.

For me, each month I have 5 – 7 days where I am not on social media, blogs or podcasts. Why? I love those things, and they take a lot of time (they also mess with my mind and heart sometimes). Not doing those things frees up time for me to focus on my heart and relationship with Jesus, but also to clear my head and heart.