Fast is To Slow Down

God is Gracious

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Joel 2:12-13

The word fasting often gives the impression of serious sacrifice; however, the need to fast in our current day is more than ever. The purpose of fasting is to slow down and intentionally spend 1:1 time with God. It’s not so much about what we’re turning from, but The One we’re turning to.

As part of an industry that never slows down, what can you do when you’re in need of a detox from the intensity of work and busyness of life? Often our escape is in things that are worthless or detrimental. The Bible teaches that even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, fasted in hard times to be closer to God. Jesus taught that when we create a void literally in our stomach, we can seek God at a higher intensity and fill our body with what lasts.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Because God is gracious, when we seek God, through Jesus Christ, we can be fully satisfied.