THE GREAT FAST
Everything nonessential in us must fall away like ashes in a furnace so that the pure gold of our being, thus refined, may shine in the light of grace. The Lord holds you in his hand: know then, dear friend, that you belong to the Lord, whether you live or die.
For the peace of the Christian begins only in death…with the inexpressible bliss of supreme life, which is supreme wakefulness, supreme activity, and supreme intensity, and at the same time deepest calm, peace, and security…. ~Hanns George von Heintschell-Heinegg (poet and theology student put to death by Nazis 1944 for being a part of the Resistance)
******
CONSIDER
We have entered the Great Fast, a journey through the furnace of self-denial. We don’t enter the fast as a self-help endeavor; we enter it to die to the self so that we may live as Christ who “though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself…[and] humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). He laid down the pattern for us, and as we follow it, we come to know the deep calm, peace, and security of belonging to him.
Hanns George von Heintschell-Heinegg faced “emptying himself” in the extreme. As he awaited his execution, he was forced to come to terms with all the nonessentials of life. Let’s use his counsel to inventory our motives in this year’s Lenten fast.
*Do I stake my life on belonging to the Lord, or does my autonomy consume me? If the latter, we need the journey through the furnace of self-denial.
*Am I at peace in my relationships, pursuits, past, present, and future? If not, we need to journey through the furnace of self-denial.
*Do I know the bliss of supreme life in Christ? Do I delight in sacrificing my time and resources for God’s good work? Do I desire the happiness of detachment from all my fascinations more than stockpiling distraction upon distraction? If not, we need the journey through the furnace of self-denial.
*Am I supremely aware of my vices and sinfulness? Am I supremely aware of the Lord’s forgiveness? If not, we need the journey through the furnace of self-denial.
*Do I strive for moral excellence in my attitudes and actions? If not, we need the journey through the furnace of self-denial.
*Am I supremely intent on receiving the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and reverence for the Lord? If not, we need the journey through the furnace of self-denial.
*Do I desire the deepest calm, peace, and security that comes from the Lord alone? If not, we need the journey through the furnace of self-denial.
PRAY
Jesus, Lord, and Savior of my life, this year, I desire to endure the furnace of fasting from myself—all my attractions and fascinations, my self-will and self-promotion, my pursuits and persuasions. I need your Holy Spirit’s strength to climb higher and fight harder for the restoration of your image in me. Grant me the honesty with myself to die to the behavior I excuse in myself. Illuminate my mind with your truth, and strengthen me in my weakness. Burn, Lord, burn! ~Amen
The Maiden Warrior 