The Secret to Fasting Yahweh-style.

Do you want to know the true secret
to transforming the world
in the 40 days of Lent?

This morning while meditating on Isaiah 58 I discovered the secrets to fasting "Yahweh- style".

It seems that God is looking for a different kind of fasting than those things we normally give-up during Lent. Take a look at the Isaiah text.


"This is the kind of fast day I am after." ( Isaiah 58:6):

1. To break the chains of injustice,
2. Get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
3. Free the oppressed,
4. Cancel debts.

"What I'm interested in seeing you do is" (Isaiah 58:7)
1. Sharing your food with the hungry,
2. Inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
3. Putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
4. Being available to your own families.

Notice what’s missing?
The “me-centered” spirituality. We may be loved individually but it was never intended to remain personal.

If you do this here are the results you can expect of fasting Yahweh-style:

“Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way. The GOD of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, GOD will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, "Here I am.' If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down--and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places-- firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.” (Isaiah 58:8-11)

Imagine if we fasted from poverty, exploiting workers, oppression, homelessness, broken families, debt, blaming victims, and picking on other folk's sins what the world would look like.

Apparently that the kind of fasting God notices is when we fast from those things that rob people of their dignity and humanity.

There you have it-- fasting Yahweh-style.

I think I learned something new about fasting.

How 'bout you?