Devotionals Detail

Reading: Isaiah 58:6-12

Fasting? In September? I thought that was a Lent thing?

The prophet Isaiah gives us a vision of fasting much different than what we have likely heard before. No longer is fasting about giving up chocolate for 6 weeks, or taking a break from social media to dedicate more time to Bible study. This is a different kind of fasting – it is God’s fasting.

God’s fast is a form of worship that is not about piety but about loosening the chains of oppression – specifically for the people who are homeless and hungry. This fast intentionally cultivates outward-facing acts designed to make us see the person who is hungry and homeless. So the fast that is acceptable gives shelter to the poor – giving up one’s own comfort. The fast that is acceptable gives food to the hungry – giving up one’s own provision. Fasting becomes an act of giving up something for yourself so others may have what they need.

Here at Flower Mound UMC, our outreach ministries specifically focus on homelessness and food scarcity. Though there are lots of opportunities to serve nationally and globally in a multitude of helping objectives, the two areas of homelessness and food scarcity are the ones our church focuses on because there is a need in our own community. Many of you might think – we live in one of the wealthiest areas of the world – how could homelessness and food scarcity be an issue? But it is – if you look closely.

Next time you are at a Walmart in Lewisville, pay attention to the cars in the back of the lot stuffed with belongings. That’s a homeless person living in their car. The next time you see someone not able to fill up their whole car tank at the gas station, they are likely living in food scarcity too. The next time you see a person in a hotel doing their laundry, there is a good chance they are living in that hotel permanently. The next time you see a child misbehaving in a classroom, consider if they might just be hungry. This is what God’s fast means – to take time to notice those needs, and then to sacrifice part of what you have to give to them.

It’s not easy to notice pain – most of us would rather ignore it or turn away to enjoy our day, and keep on with our busy schedules. But the fast we are asking of you next week during Depart to Serve is to put aside those activities, intentionally, to give up some of your time for God’s fast.

May our fast this Depart to Serve week be pleasing to God,

Amen