A Commitment To Less, A Mission of More

Lent is an interesting season – one of self-denial, penitence, prayer and reflection. I often wondered why we, as Christ’s followers, needed to fast for 40 days. Is this merely a ritual that we’ve become accustomed to observing or is there any significance to this discipline? Well, if we look at the life of Jesus, he fasted for 40 days after being baptized by his cousin John the Baptist and before he began his earthly ministry. He refused to eat things that would typically sustain his human form because he was preparing for another level of service. Jesus, the Godman, was doing less and becoming more. I challenge each of you who’ve begun this journey of doing less to understand a few things:

1. Saying no to something that gives you pleasure (like food) has tangible and intangible benefits
2. Your period of restricting yourself is not a forever proposition. This too shall pass
3. After it’s over, like Jesus, you’ll be tested in the areas of passion, power and praise
4. When you pass these tests, angels will be dispatched to minister to you
5. The test prepares us for other levels of service
6. The Lord is always with you

So, family, take full advantage of this time of testing, understanding that when you pass the test of doing less, God has more in store for your life!