This morning, this first day of Lent for millions of people worldwide, is Day One of a small and friendly fast for a few favored friends … and you, too, if your interest and your heart should be so inclined.
Let it be said initially that the Lenten aspect is in part that this is a global season of fasting. One might start tomorrow or the next day or in July, no matter. The Lord does not count or mark days as we do, but it is, for us, significant that this is a season of humble and penitential seeking after God all over the world, and we take part in this small way.
This fast was birthed out of a silly/not so silly question. Reading a book about a fictitious ebola pandemic, the thought occurred, “If the enemy of souls can launch a virulent pandemic, couldn’t God launch a spiritual antiviral?” Of course He could, but what would it look like in this hour, and what would we call it, something wholesome and healing and holy, and just then the answer came, “It would be the restoration of the fear of the Lord in families and churches.”
That certainly bore witness, and, asking a few more questions and double-checking to try to be sure of the Lord’s leading, several of us decided to begin on this date.
For us, from the beginning, the Lord’s emphasis seemed to be on prayer and as to eating … well … dining in the fear of the Lord! Righting personal wrongs, like too much snacking, too many sweets, too little water, or an imbalance of carbs and proteins, all completely individual. You know, eating in the fear of the Lord could very well be to eat the way you taught your children to eat! Healthy, balanced, and circumspect. Also, it seemed He was saying, “Forty days. If you miss a day of prayer, just keep counting until you get to forty.” That isn’t carved in stone; you might hear differently. Just sharing what we have so far.
So, we begin, and let me share for you the first words from the passage of Scripture I turned to this morning in my Bible, right where my bookmark is, right where I left off … the Father has such great Dad Jokes sometimes!
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.“ (Luke 12:4-7)
There it is. A bit of confirmation and a lot of encouragement, held together with tremendous love. So God! It is a bit of a dive into the deep end, certainly. ”Do not be afraid of those who kill the body …” but if this isn’t the wholesome fear of God, it’s hard to say what is, AND look how He gets us started with “Fear Him!”
This should be very interesting . . .
Claudio Gennari, “Two Sparrows,” by permission, Flickr/Wikipedia
Cor Unum Abbey 