Dear Friends,

Lent is upon us and once again I’m thinking about what that means for me and for all of us. I wonder if, like me, you’ve ever found yourself considering what the fuss about giving something up is all about? Have you tried it and found it hard to do? Or worse still that it made you feel ‘virtuous’ or pious? Last year I gave up coffee (I absolutely love the stuff) and far from making me holier, I ended up indulging in alternative distractions (snacking, scrolling Facebook etc). Perhaps you’ve adopted the modern trend to take something up instead (writing cards to people, visiting neighbours, volunteering) which feels more productive.

But Jesus fasted, and he expected those who follow him to do the same (Matthew 6:16-18). I’m a latecomer to this ancient Christian discipline, but at last, I think I’m beginning to get it! Starting on 1st January, I began a forty day season of fasting, which at the time of writing, I have just finished. I don’t say this to make you think I’m a super-Christian (far from it), but as an encouragement to you. I did a ‘mixed-mode’ fast, experimenting with giving up a range of different things (foods or things that distract me such as social media) for different durations. But by far the best for me were the actual water-only fasts.

Fasting is not about denying ourselves in the hope that a good dose of stoicism will fortify us. It’s also not about getting ourselves in God’s good books. It’s about making space for God and enjoying his presence. It’s about hungering for Him in our lives so that we can become more consecrated, that is, more ready for Him to use us for His purposes.

And I did hunger! I have a fast metabolism and get hungry very quickly. I have been known to get ‘hangry’ - that state when you become tetchy or short-tempered from low blood sugar. But by God’s grace, I found these times of physical hunger led me deeper into His presence. I found myself drawing closer to Jesus - praying more often, enjoying reading the Bible more, thinking of Him every time my tummy rumbled, even dreaming about Him. I also became more aware of some things that I need to get right with God in my life, where I’m living more for myself than for Him.

As a result, other things happened - my head has felt clearer, I’ve had a stronger sense of direction and purpose - in fact I feel a little bit ‘turbo-charged’.

During Lent, I’m going to invite you to join me on two short fasts - the first and last Fridays of Lent. My plan is to gather to pray and eat together to break our fasts, so watch out for details in Minster Mail. But whatever Lenten disciplines we enter this year, we need to ask ourselves: how will this get me closer to Jesus and help me become more like Him?

With love in Christ,

Rev Daniel Corlett