Real Sacrifice

One week ago today, we celebrated Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, which is a reminder of our mortality and our need for reconciliation with God. During Lent, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary’s cross, His death and defeat over death; His victory over sin and the enemy; His Resurrection and atonement for our sins (Ephesians 1:7). The Christian calendar sets aside 40 days to remember God’s love poured out through Jesus Christ. Christians  around the world, Protestant and Catholic, commit to fasting and giving up luxuries imitating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ during his 40 day journey into the desert. This practice in self-discipline has a penitential focus, acknowledging and confessing one’s sinfulness as well as seeking a deeper connection to God. During the Lenten season, many focus on the confession of sin, this month,I want to focus our thoughts and attention on sacrifice. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines sacrifice first as an act of offering to a deity something precious especially, secondly as destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else, thirdly as something given up or lost. The Bible defines sacrifice as giving to the Lord whatever He requires; time, earthly possessions, and energies for the advancement His work (Matthew 6:33). I define sacrifice as the willingness to give up any and every thing as an indication of my devotion to my Heavenly Father.

Fasting during the Lenten season, is for most people a sign of their commitment to God however, many seek convenience over real sacrifice. The Daniel Fast, while originally a twenty-one day fast, is often adopted for the forty day Lenten season. This partial fast is found in the first chapter of the book of Daniel in verses eight through fourteen. It requires strict dietary adherence. Many approach the Daniel fast by simply choosing to follow Daniel’s diet but it is deeper than that. Daniel chose to engage in the spiritual practices as well. While he drank water, ate fruit and vegetables only, he engaged in prayer and opened himself up to experiencing renewed dependence on God. Fasting is a spiritual discipline which requires the denying one’s physical and mental self. Daniel decided it was more important to be faithful to God than to obey the king. He refused to eat from the king’s table regardless of what it would cost him. He chose to make a big deal over what many would call a little thing. Today, many Christians find themselves compromising on what the world calls little things and failing to acknowledge that everything we do reflects our relationship with God. Daniel recognized that everything he did had spiritual implications and touched every area of his life, including what he ate.

I agree with Daniel and believe that God is a part of my entire life, touching every area, including the way I fast. For me, Lenten fasting is about dying to self and giving my life in fresh new ways to God. I am reminded that the sacrifice of fasting increases my dependence on the power of the Spirit, and proves that God is the source of everything I do, and reminds me that physical sustenance does not meet my spiritual needs (Matthew 4:4). I, like Daniel, have purposed in my heart that during this Lenten season, as I engage in the Daniel Fast, I will not compromise nor will I cut corners. I will not seek convince or substitutes, I will entrust myself to God and God alone. I will spend this Lenten season in prayerful submission to The Father’s Perfect Will. I know that the Spirit of God will minister to me as He did to Daniel. I know the Spirit of God will minister to me as He did to Jesus while He spent forty days in the Judean Dessert fasting and praying in preparation for His ministry (Matthew 4: 1-2).

I believe God is calling me to something more, something deeper in Him. As I engage in this Lenten Fast, I am determined to discover God’s good plan for this season of my life (Jeremiah 29:11). I will surrender myself fully to The Father. I will spend this season not consuming any animal products, sweeteners, leavened bread, fried foods, solid fats, candy, alcohol, caffeine, refined nor process foods. I will spend this season feasting daily on The Word of God focusing on hearing His voice and being led by The Spirit. I will spend this Lenten season sacrificing my comfort to be perfected by The Spirit. I will spend this Lenten season following the example of my Savior, who did not rely on fleshly nor creature comforts to live a life in obedience to God, The Father. 

I invite you Under the Church Hat for this month’s exercise: 

Write out your personal definition of sacrifice?

In less than 250 words, describe your intention to focus your heart, mind and  spirit on God and not your own eating and drinking desires.

What three spiritual practices will you add to your daily routine during this Lenten season?

Fasting brings you closer to God, makes you more sensitive to His voice, helps break bad habits or even addictions, makes you aware of your weaknesses and allows you to rely on God’s strength. Chronicle your experience as you fast this Lenten season.
 

Chose a passage of scripture from this devotion to meditate on throughout the month.