Week Four: Fasting / Sacrifice
Joel 2:12-13
Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Reflection
Fasting is not about punishment; it is about making space. Joel reminds us that God isn't interested in outward displays of devotion, but rather a heart that is open, honest, and willing to return. Fasting is the practice of releasing what distracts us so we can receive what restores us, a holy clearing-out of the soul.
Whether we fast from food, noise, comparison, or the constant need to be productive, it is a way of saying, "God, I want You more than this." Lent invites us to examine what fills our lives and ask if those things draw us closer to God. Fasting is not about deprivation; it is about attention and creating room for grace.
This Week's Practice
Choose one small thing to fast from for a day. Whether it is a certain food, a habit, a distraction, or a negative mindset, let the space it creates become a quiet place where God can speak.
Reflection Questions
What does this passage reveal about God's desire for your authentic heart, the "rending of the heart", rather than just outward performance?
How might the practice of fasting (whether physical or spiritual) reshape your priorities, clarify your thoughts, and deepen your awareness of God?
What specific thing might God be gently inviting you to release or set aside this week to make space for a deeper connection?