I'm currently exploring the topic of spiritual disciplines. I want to learn more about the role of the disciplines in my spiritual life, but I particularly want to learn about meditation, silence, solitude, and fasting. Being a lifelong Protestant, I have been taught about the importance of Bible study, Scripture memory, corporate worship, and prayer. But, I think that many Protestant denominations overlook some of the older disciplines. I don't think I have ever heard a sermon or other Bible study lesson on meditation or fasting. What role do these things play in our lives? Are they just for the monastic types or are they for everyone?
Our twenty first century lives focus so much on productivity and activity, even within the church, that I am afraid that we don't know how to really be with God. I'm not even very good with just being by myself! Of course, my years in training and practice as a physician were also times in which being busy was prized. Rest and meditation were ignored if not outright scorned.
I have been meditating for the last week or so on Isaiah 30:15: This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation,in quietness and trust is your strength." Getting to repentance, rest, and quietness is a challenge. I am currently reading The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard and am really enjoying it and learning quite a bit. I'll write more as I go through it.
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This is an excerpt from Priscilla Shirer's book "A Jewel In His Crown" in regards to fasting. Thought you find it interesting! KC
May I suggest to you that fasting might be the "bleach" that you need to remove the stain from your life? The Bible says that there are some stains that only come out by fasting and prayer. Fasting is when you give up satisfying the needs of the flesh in order to satisfy the greater needs of the spirit. Fasting proves to God that you are very serious in your desire for spiritual renewal. When we fast, according to Isaiah 58, God wants "to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke." When God knows that we are truly serious about Him, He does things in our lives that we never thought possible. He can change our circumstances in a hurry because He is the God of miracles. And if your life is anything like mine, then you need a miracle to fix the mess that you've made by playing in the mud for so long. For those of us who need the most help, He makes this promise (see Isaiah 58:8-11). Please remember that fasting is not just a religious game, You must recognize some great spiritual need in order to fast with the correct intentions. There is nothing miraculous in the giving up of food itself. Giving up food is simply a diet. What makes fasting different is "the reason" you give up the food. The reason should be a spiritual need. We can also choose to fast from television, chocolate, or any other thing that is gratifying to our flesh. We need to fast from something that is important to us, and for most of us that important thing is food. It bears repeating---fasting will get God's attention so that He sees how serious you are about changing your life and removing the mud stains for good.
You raised some very interesting points. I'll be looking forward to reading your thoughts as you read through the book.
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