Fast and Furious

Most days after lunch, I eat a small piece of chocolate – something like a DOVE® chocolate or a Ghirardelli® square. Dark chocolate is my indulgence of choice, though I’ve recently discovered that Ghirardelli® milk chocolate is a pretty wicked second. Anyway, this is my routine. Sometimes that routine will even carry over to dinner hour. I love my routine. I love my routine because I love my chocolate.
But as Ash Wednesday approached, I felt convicted to do something out-of-the-box for someone in my denomination: I decided to fast during Lent. The whole concept behind fasting is to give up something meaningful to you to help you reflect upon Christ’s sacrifice.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
I contemplated the various things I could give up. Facebook came to mind, but I use that to know how to pray for people and to stay in touch with long-distance relatives. Television was out because I live in a household of men. The one thing that kept creeping back into my mind was chocolate.
My family certainly knows my penchant for chocolate after a meal, but most days I eat lunch alone. The Lord Himself would have to hold me accountable. But the sacrifice hasn’t been a temptation in the least. My resolve even held up at the fro-yo store as I beheld a treasure trove of chopped chocolates that would beautifully crown my chocolate and vanilla swirl. I smiled to myself as I passed them by. How much sweeter they’ll taste after Easter, I reminded myself (though my yogurt did look a bit naked). 
As we go through this season of our inconsequential sacrifices, remember to count it all joy – as long as it’s not Almond Joy, if you’re sharing my object of abstinence. Don’t make a show of it, as by getting all pouty when you have to bypass semisweet morsels. In fact, avoid the pouting altogether – along with the complaining.
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:16-18
I apply the fasting principle when I’m sick or weighed down with a pressing problem. The world doesn’t need to focus on my problems; it has enough problems of its own. What it needs to focus on is Christ. If I smile through sickness, sacrifice and pain, then the world is seeing Him and not me. That is especially important when I’m serving the Lord, whether on church property or in my community.
When you fast-forward to Easter, you’ll be reminded that what He gave up – His throne, His dignity and ultimately, His life – were infinitely more valuable than our token sacrifices. So gussy yourself up and put your best face forward. Keep the furious out of the fast.