So many thoughts! This is the fasting post I think converts need! I shared my thoughts with my oldest daughter and she likened it to if her 14 year old brother tried to train like an NBA player—at this point, he wouldn’t be able to do it, he wouldn’t be able to keep up! But he can work towards that kind of intense training. And a friend of his might be training as well, but in a different way, a different order, etc.
A dear friend who is cradle Orthodox said her family fasted faithfully from meat when she was growing up. She was actually surprised as an adult to find out dairy was a part of the fast too! But her family was faithful, and as an adult, she has grown in her fasting as well.
And I always need to hear it again and again—what is the fast without prayer? This year I was not prepared for Lent at all, “late” as it is. But now that we have had a few services, the familiar habits are coming back, and I am trying to again make room in my heart for this season. One of my favorite things about Holy Week is how we intentionally set aside that time to be our focus. It is intense, but we have purposefully made space for it as well. God grant you all a blessed fast!
I like the sports analogy - it really fits! The idea of personhood really comes into play when we live out the Christian life. We have to have guiding principles, but the application of the principles can vary.
So many thoughts! This is the fasting post I think converts need! I shared my thoughts with my oldest daughter and she likened it to if her 14 year old brother tried to train like an NBA player—at this point, he wouldn’t be able to do it, he wouldn’t be able to keep up! But he can work towards that kind of intense training. And a friend of his might be training as well, but in a different way, a different order, etc.
A dear friend who is cradle Orthodox said her family fasted faithfully from meat when she was growing up. She was actually surprised as an adult to find out dairy was a part of the fast too! But her family was faithful, and as an adult, she has grown in her fasting as well.
And I always need to hear it again and again—what is the fast without prayer? This year I was not prepared for Lent at all, “late” as it is. But now that we have had a few services, the familiar habits are coming back, and I am trying to again make room in my heart for this season. One of my favorite things about Holy Week is how we intentionally set aside that time to be our focus. It is intense, but we have purposefully made space for it as well. God grant you all a blessed fast!
I like the sports analogy - it really fits! The idea of personhood really comes into play when we live out the Christian life. We have to have guiding principles, but the application of the principles can vary.