Spirit Care

The season of Lent is nearly upon us. While many view this as a Roman Catholic thing. However, with so many of our holiday traditions becoming so empty and secularized, many Protestants are looking back at our old traditions as a means of getting back to the original intent. But, as I always say, the value of tradition is in knowing why it is there. Otherwise, it tends to turn into blind sentiment.

Lent itself is modeled after the forty days Christ spent fasting in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11) Hence giving up something for Lent.

Fasting itself is a weird subject, even those who endorse it don't necessarily know anything about it. Sometimes their whole argument is; people in the Bible did it so you should as well. That is a classic false teacher statement. The people who like to prey upon the ignorance of naive people who don't know the whole truth. With that being said, let me say fasting is a deeply personal thing, you shouldn't let anyone tell you when or why you should fast. (Matthew 6:16-18) I say that because in the wrong hands, traditional fasting can be used as a brainwashing tactic. So be Leary of anyone who pushes the practice on you. Let me also add, traditional food fasting should only be practiced by those in good health. Diabetics and hypoglycemics should stay away. However, with this world being so overrun by empty and toxic amusements, I dare say non-traditional fasts may be as, if not more effective at their intended purpose.

Speaking of which, fasting is a way to detach from the physical world to better take a hold of the spiritual one. So there is indeed value and reason behind the practice that many of us may need. In short, a time of reflection and self-examination as we seek God's input. (Psalm 139:23-24)

There are three scriptural reasons to fast. The first is to petition God. If you feel you really need an answer to something, but all the distractions of the world are getting in the way. Fasting can be a way to focus our intentions. As well as humble ourselves before God.

The second is mourning. People will sometimes naturally do this in their grief. Mourning is a natural part of the healing process after all. Yet, we often try to rush people through it, for the sake of our comfort. Especially if we see that they are withdrawing, or not eating. Maybe we should stop assuming the worst and stop interfering with their mourning. Even if we are not comfortable with how their spirit is leading them to do it. The peace of God that they seek is far more valuable to them than your approval any day.

The last is atonement, making reparations for our sins. Atonement may not be absolutely necessary under the New Covenant, with Jesus offering himself as the ultimate sacrificial lamb. Still, this can actually be a very revealing experience if we fast something associated with our problem area. It can show us the depths of our relationship with what we are giving up. This may be beneficial in our eventual repentance of said behaviors if you intentionally approach it that way; instead of merely following a rote tradition.

People often engage a devotional reading during this time as well. Even if they have no interest in doing a fast, they will do this. There are many specific Lenten devotionals available. They are typically about the season of Lent and its traditions and history though. Depending on your intent in engaging Lent; you may try a more targeted subject-based reading plan instead.

I have observed Lent before, but I don't always. I have found it rewarding when I have though. I only formally observe Lent when I feel the need to repent, reconnect, or move past a plateau. I do feel the need this year, for a variety of reasons. Specifically, I will be giving up social media this year. I have expressed my frustrations with the format lately. Being on the dawn of a new leg of my walk as a disciple, and my ministry I have many uncertainties about whether social media needs to be a part of it at all. My hope is this will reveal if there are any real benefits or only detriments. As well as possibly see whether it really is just a crutch for genuine connection. Or possibly just a way to solicit approval and acknowledgment, like many other social media influencers seems to.

Will you be observing Lent to some extent? It just so happens to begin on my birthday this year. This seems rather poetic to me. 2/22/2023 (Ash Wednesday)

The Visual PARABLEist

Some other key passages about fasting

David’s attendants assume he we fasting out of mourning, but in reality, he was petitioning God. -2nd Samuel 12: 16-22

John’s disciples question Jesus about the tradition of fasting. Their tradition wasn’t very scriptural, but Jesus’ response was. -Matthew 9:14-15

Frustrations at church

As I heard from the pulpit recently, the most spiritually mature people in the church are often the most dissatisfied with their church. Which begs the question, why? The broad general answer I came up with is, people want everyone to be in the same place as they are. While that may sound comfortable, it's not very good for the health of the church on multiple levels.

When specifically talking about the spiritually mature. They are not content with all the canned studies and programs. Why should they be? The data indicates that it doesn't really grow people in their faith. It just allows people to be content where they are already at. Which would naturally irritate the mature who may feel they have to stand alone continually. Yet, nobody is in a big hurry to catch up to them.

Then there is how the Body of Christ is supposed to help and support one another. (1st Corinthians 12, Galatians 6:1-6) Naturally, the more mature ones have a smaller pool to connect with when it comes to more complicated spiritual needs. Speaking from experience, there have been times when I have sought advice from people, and it seemed rather evident that the only path they knew was the road most taken of career and family. Since I didn't follow that path, they thought it best to just direct me back to that common path. As if that is the answer for everything. This only proved to alienate me further, not help.

The mature may come off as arrogant know-it-alls to some. If they only share to establish superiority, it's probably a fair assessment. Yet, if they are sharing their wisdom and experience as the body of Christ demands, then it's not. If we are seriously going to look down on people for being the best disciple they can be. It's no wonder average is where people want to stay. But that is not a good standard to hold yourself to. (Revelation 3:15-17)

This is why I adhere to the mantra of “delight and inspire” as an artist and Christian educator. In the end, it’s all you can do because there are absolutely no guarantees about how others will respond to your efforts. Hence the many frustrations of the mature. (John 6:60-66)

For example, as much as I may try to engage people with my visual parables. Much like Christ tried to do with his narrative parables. There will always be those who won't look past the surface, and just want it explained to them. (Matthew 15:13-20, John 10:6)

As much as I may try to challenge people to move forward in their faith. There will always be those who just want warm and fuzzy feel-good fluff. Which just promotes a shallow faith.

As much as I may teach that the state of our heart lies at the root of our failures in righteousness. Many will be content with faking it, just to avoid facing their own brokenness. (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 23:25-28)

As much as I teach grace and forgiveness. There will always be those who just want to condemn people for their failures instead of lifting a finger to help address the brokenness at the root of their sin. (Matthew 23:1-4)

As much as I teach that the purpose that you are "set apart" for is a key part of true and complete holiness. There will always be those who are content with feeding off the harvest that they will never help plant. With my old church not surviving the shutdowns, it's been slow to integrate myself into a new church where I can serve to the same extent I once did. My spiritual fulfillment has gone down with it. So from my point of view, avoiding service is doing yourself no favors.

This must be how Jesus felt when he realized that the people came to him more for free food than for truth. (John 6:25-27) Yet, it never stopped him from feeding them.

This must be how Jesus felt as he entered Jerusalem with the realization that his time was nearly up, yet so few truly understood. (Luke 19:31-42) Yet he didn't just throw his hands up and shout; you are all unworthy.

The point I am leading up to is this. Spiritual maturity ultimately means that we must recognize that God values our sincerity and devotion more than our desire for success. While we want to believe that God will put all those proverbial ducks in a row and make it easy for us. We must also recognize that we will not outperform Jesus. Even he didn't convince everyone, so we aren't either. We need to set aside our pride and the idol of success it worships.

We also need to be willing to take a step back and ask why people are not responding to teaching. There are likely many fears and other obstacles getting in the way. If it took you ten to thirty years to overcome your obstacles, nobody will get over it in a heartbeat just because you tell them to. That just creates more frustration.

The Visual PARABLEist

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
    It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. -Hebrews 6:1-6

The second half of that Hebrews passage can seem scary by itself as if it's saying one strike and your out. But in context, you can see that it is encouraging you to move onto the next level of glory. (2nd Corinthians 3:18) You won't experience the fullness of God's glory by stopping at foundational truths.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.
—Romans 14:1

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. -1st Corinthians 12:25