Fasting and Reason

I was in the bookstore sitting behind the counter when my little Indian friend came up, arms folded and informed me that she was mad. She is the most brilliant and mature 9 year old that I have ever met and I was very interested as to what had made her mad. So I asked her to tell me all about it. She told me that she was hungry. "Why are you hungry?" I asked. "Because I'm fasting. I've been fasting since yesterday and it stinks because I want to eat something and can't." I thought maybe it was a Muslim holiday where the family fasts for something or other. I asked her why she was fasting. "I dont know... but we do, and I don’t like it." Then she left with that flustered face that kids make to let everyone know they are flustered, inviting inquiry as to why, giving them an excuse to vent about something. She came in just wanting to let me know that she was fasting, but the fact that she had no idea why saddened me. So many people are caught up in religious practices, living their life by strict standards, going out of their way to do things, or even depriving their body of nutrition because... they think they are supposed to... because its what they do... because a leader said so... but not really knowing why. I was sad and wanted to relate to her and tell her that I fast too sometimes, and it makes me really hungry as well. I wanted to tell her that I fast when there is something that I am very burdened about and want to talk to my heavenly Father about it all day long. That when I have thoughts of being hungry it drives me to prayer and that is my reason for fasting, and that it always changes my heart and draws me closer to God. I wanted to tell her all this but she was gone and didn't come back all day. She was gone, off to continue being hungry and left to wonder why.

I have known many people who call themselves Christians and are in a similar loop of actions without solid reasoning behind what they do. I read only this version of the Bible, I go to this church, I wear these clothes and listen to this music, I don't go to those places...and so on... just because. Because a parent raised me this way or a pastor said this is what good Christians do... When these things define who we are as a Christian there are huge problems. When people look at me what do they see? What mental categories do they put me in? I want to be known as someone who loves people the way Jesus loved people. I want to be defined by how I treat people with love and how I speak unceasingly about Christ and how He affects my life. I have a lot of work to do, and heart changing that needs to be done, but He is faithful.

I'll see my Indian friend again soon and maybe we can talk more about fasting and the reasons behind our actions.