Why Your Fasting Is Fruitless
Sunday, February 8
ISAIAH 58:1-9A
True confession: I’m not very good at fasting. When I try to fast, I realize how food-focused I really am, always thinking about my next meal. But whether or not I’m “doing it right,” I believe that fasting is about slowing our pace, opening our hearts, and making room to listen to God. The importance of stopping and paying attention is not lost on me. My hope and prayer when I fast is to be able to focus on what God wants from me instead of my rumbling stomach.
Isaiah speaks clearly in this portion of Scripture, calling out God’s people for their show of so-called righteousness when the reality is that their fasting is filled with bickering and fighting and exploiting others while posturing piousness and humility. “They’re busy, busy, busy at worship and love studying all about me. To all appearances, they’re a nation of right-living people—law-abiding, God honoring…and [they] love having me on their side” (v. 2, MSG). Ouch, that hits close to home.
God’s Word is clear. God is not looking for a show of religion but for us to learn that the true purpose of fasting and praying is a change in our hearts. That change leads us to break the chains of injustice, treat workers fairly, free the oppressed, share our food with the hungry, welcome the poor and the homeless, and be emotionally available to our families.
Gracious God, help us to pursue true fasting with humility, honesty, and generosity. Amen.
A Full Life
Monday, February 9
ISAIAH 58:9B-14
Isaiah goes on to paint a beautiful picture of God’s promises if we turn from our cruel practices and malicious gossip and are instead generous with the hungry and the poverty-stricken. Our light will rise in the darkness, and our night will become like noonday.
One of the things I love about Ignatian prayer practices is that I learned to use my God-given imagination and picture myself interacting with Scripture. When I read this passage, I see a powerful image of being courageous enough to turn away from angry political discourse and judgmental finger-pointing and instead imagine that by choosing kindness, generosity, fairness, love, and hope, we “will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” (v. 11, NIV). I picture a beautiful garden with every plant and flower imaginable, birdsong in the trees, bees humming in the flowers. God has promised us that our light will shine, that the Lord will be there to guide us always and will strengthen us along the way. I see sunlit paths with our Lord God showing us the way.
Gracious God, thank you for your beautiful picture of us being light to our worlds, of always guiding us, and giving us the gift of joy. Help us to be repairers of broken walls in our communities and in our families. Amen.
You Are The Light Of The World!
Tuesday, February 10
MATTHEW 5:13-16
This week Isaiah has been telling us that our light will rise in the darkness if we turn from oppressive practices, and today we see Jesus emphatically stating, “You are the light of the world” (v. 14).
When I think of light in the darkness, I imagine a flashlight helping me find my way on a dark pathway, a glimmer of stars overhead sparkling God’s existence and immensity, a good reading lamp that helps me see small print clearly, or the morning sunrise warming the sky with a variety of colors.
Sometimes I can be light to the world with a kind word or a smile at the grocery store. Sometimes it can be helping a neighbor navigate an inconvenient doctor’s appointment or standing up for someone who is being mistreated. Sometimes it is taking the time to stop and talk to someone asking for money on the street. Always it is being gentle with small children and animals. The impact really comes from trusting the Holy Spirit to use me. We are in a place of spiritual warfare, of light versus dark. How do we discern and clarify light from darkness? How can we be light to our world?
Loving God, thank you for bringing light to our world. Help us to be that light. Amen.
The Fulfillment Of The Law
Wednesday, February 11
MATTHEW 5:17-20
Truth be told, I like rules. I get annoyed when people break the speed limit or cut in line. “Not fair!” I want to yell out. Admittedly and sadly, I think I would have made a very good Pharisee. But that is where the amazing gift of Jesus comes in. Righteousness is not something we earn by following the rules. By the death and resurrection of Jesus we are offered freedom and forgiveness through the spirit of the law. Through God’s grace, we can come as we are without having to perfectly follow a rigid set of rules.
The law was meant to point to the coming Messiah. Legalism always gets in the way of living out the life Jesus offers us. This happens in the nitty-gritty of living our lives. My rule-following self who wants to compare myself against others can humbly accept that gift of grace.
Thank you, Jesus, for fulfilling the law and offering us the gift of grace. How amazing and how wonderful is your love. Amen.
Embracing Weakness
Thursday, February 12
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When the Apostle Paul first presented the good news to the Corinthians, he purposely did not use flowery language and eloquent preaching so that the true simple message of the gospel would shine through with the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul admits that he was coming to them from a place of weakness and fear, maybe feeling inadequate or insecure. He put his ego aside when he could have easily boasted proudly of his past missionary work. Instead, he humbly realized that without the death and resurrection of Jesus, he was nothing. In other words, he was a conduit for the good news.
The Bible is sometimes called God’s living Word, and this story is an example of that. God’s Word speaks for itself. It doesn’t need a new way of presenting it or any fancy entertainment to grab people’s attention. God’s Word was working its way into the hearts of the Corinthians. God is mystery and doesn’t think like we think. Can I lean into that truth and trust that God is at work?
Trusting that the Holy Spirit is going to do the work goes against my need to control (yikes!). Yet if I can lean into trust, despite feeling awkward or even silly, I can let go of my negative self-talk and know that God is at work always. Trusting that God is in all things can be hard to keep in the forefront of our minds. I know that my insecurities can push in and paralyze me. Yet it sounds like Paul struggled with that too.
Gracious God, help us to trust and lean into the work of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wisdom From The Spirit
Friday, February 13
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
I once heard this passage compared to a fire. When a fire is started, the flames seem to flit around on the surface, sometimes for a short while and possibly even burning out. But a lasting fire burns deep and simmers in the coals and embers where the warmth and the heat of the fire increases. I love that image. It speaks to me of passion for God’s Word and for trusting in the slow work of God. The challenge is, how do we allow the Spirit to dive deep? How do we gain wisdom from the Holy Spirit?
The foundation of wisdom is humility, and the core of humility is the ability to be relational. It’s like a circle. We learn wisdom by being relational. First, we are in a daily, personal relationship with Jesus, surrendering our self-importance. That sets the stage for the other relationships in our lives. We set our ego aside, let others shine, and respond with curiosity when we are met with criticism or hostility.
How do I check myself about my level of humility? Am I doing things for the praise of others, or to give God glory? Do I have the ability to receive feedback without getting defensive or deflecting it on to others? Do I have a genuine interest in hearing what the other person is saying to me? Can I allow the Spirit to dive deep and bring out the best colors in me? O Lord, I pray I can!
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and that we can have a personal, growing relationship with you. Amen.
We Are Blessed
Saturday, February 14
Psalm 112:1-9
One way I have learned to interact with Scripture is to write the text out in my own words. Nothing inspires me to do that more than the Psalms. Today’s reading speaks in poetic, joyful language about the fruit of righteousness that will be exhibited in our lives.
Here is my own take on today’s psalm:
“Blessed is the woman who gives God reverence. Blessed is the man who relishes God’s Word. Their children will flourish, and their homes will overflow with generosity. They will find hope in each morning’s sunrise that breaks through the heavy darkness, turning the dark into compassion, mercy, and justice. They give freely and lavishly—lending a hand, lending an ear, lending a backbone, igniting a passion. Their spirit, firm and calm, even walking among enemies, holds no fear. They delight in giving to the poor, the disenfranchised, the stranger, never growing tired of a beautiful life of generosity. The wicked may rage and gnash their teeth with envy and hatred. Yet their stinginess entraps them in desolation, and their dreams and aspirations will only turn to dust.”
O great God, you have given us this day. Grow in us a spirit of generosity, humility, and love. Help us to give you reverence and learn to relish your Word. Amen.
