In my tradition, the importance of the fast has quietly fallen by the wayside. Once, it was central to the life of faith. Sometimes it was used as a means of repentance. But often, a fast was undertaken to prepare oneself to hear God, and to receive strength and courage for service. If you think about it, most of the great spiritual leaders in history have shared this discipline.

Have you ever considered a day of fasting? Instead of fasting from food, how about a day of fasting from television, email, social media, or driving? Or, what about fasting for one day from judging others, or from criticizing yourself too harshly?

In her book Soul Feast, Marjorie Thompson claims that fasting is a discipline “through which God gains access to redirect and heal me in body, mind, and spirit.”

If you decide to undergo a fast, remember to commit that day to prayer. Ask God to be at the center of the day. Ask for strength, for an open heart, and a listening ear.

Let us pray: We want you to be at the heart and center of our lives, O God. We need your grace, your love, and your guidance. Without you, we feel lost. Lord, we acknowledge that there are things that sometimes get in the way of hearing you, knowing you, and serving you. Gifts you have given us to enjoy sometimes become all-consuming. Grant us the courage and strength we need to let go when necessary and to trust you more fully; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Yesterday we reflected on Jesus’ statement, “I am the good shepherd. The shepherd calls the sheep by name and leads them out… He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

It is true, that by spending time in his presence in prayer and listening to his word in scripture, we learn his voice. But even still, sometimes we do get led astray, don’t we?  

There are other voices out there that demand our attention. Voices that say: If you buy this… you’ll find that well-being you’re looking for. Voices on social media that say… you’re missing out… look at all these other people…Look what you could have. Look what you could do… Voices from politicians that say: get angry at this! Be afraid of this! I’ll do something about it. I’ll lead you to a place of well-being and peace. Trust me. Follow me….

It is in the midst of these other voices that we must listen again for the true voice… the only voice that leads to the still waters… the only voice that truly restores the soul.

But how do we hear that voice?

Well, sometimes the voice just comes to us, but other times it takes effort on our part, putting ourselves in the right place and frame of mind, carving out space and time for prayer or meditation. Because often, it is that practice, that preparation, that opens us and allows us to hear the true voice – even it in the midst of all the other clamoring voices. 

May you and I continue to listen for the voice of the good shepherd. And may we follow that voice above all other voices. For that is the voice that leads to the green pastures. That is the voice that leads to the still waters. That is voice, and the only voice, that restores our soul. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we thank you for shepherding us, and for calling us by name. Help us to carve out the time and space to listen for your voice. And then, grant us ears to hear, and hearts to follow. Amen.

The 23rd Psalm begins: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

Powerful imagery isn’t it? Even though the realities of shepherding and sheep are far removed from my suburban setting, it still resonates.

I’ve never been to the middle east, but I understand that outside of the fertile valleys, there is a lot of desolate rocky land. And so I can imagine shepherds leading the sheep across the wasteland to find the green pastures for food, and still waters for drink. And I can imagine all the dangers along the way, wild animals, thieves… On top of that, I understand that sheep are notoriously dumb, and are prone to wander off. They need a shepherd.

While the comparison to sheep is not exactly a flattering metaphor, it is apt!

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find myself in the wilderness. Sometimes I’m there like the stupid sheep – because I’ve wandered off in the wrong direction. I often find myself confused or lost. And other times I’m there in that wilderness by no fault of my own. As life unfolds, we don’t have to travel very far to learn that much of it is completely out of our control. If you’ve spent much time in the ICU of a hospital or had a loved one die too young or come face to face with the diagnosis of cancer, then you know…

One of the things I appreciate about the 23rd Psalm is that it doesn’t deny the reality of the world we live in. Even with the Lord as our shepherd, we still travel through dark valleys, we still face enemies, and we still journey through the wilderness. However, the Psalm is a potent reminder that we do not take this journey alone. 

Thanks be to God.

Let us pray: Loving God, you are our shepherd. We shall not want. You lead us beside still waters, and you have promised to restore our souls. We lay before you now anything stirring within us that is weighing heavy on us… Lead us again on the right paths… Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we trust that you are with us. Help us to see how even in the wilderness, you have anointed us with blessing, and how our cups truly overflow… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell alongside you our whole life long. Amen.

Former heavy-weight boxer James “Quick” Tillis was a cowboy from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tillis moved to Chicago to launch his career in the early 1980s. He still remembers his first day in Chicago after his arrival from Tulsa. Tillis said, “I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under my arms in downtown Chicago and stopped in front of the Sears Tower. I put my suitcases down, and I looked up at the Tower and I said to myself, ‘I’m going to conquer Chicago.’ “When I looked down, the suitcases were gone.”

From time to time, we all get a dose of humility in life. Truth is, that’s not always a bad thing! It is important to remember that the world does not revolve around us.

It’s said that famous college football coach Vince Dooley was once musing out loud, “I wonder how many truly great coaches there have been over the years.” His wife shot back, “Probably one less than you think!”

1. S. Lewis once said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and of course, as long as you are looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.”

Let us pray: Loving God, we acknowledge that we can’t make it on our own for very long in life. We need you. The weight of the world is hard to bear on our own – so we are grateful that we don’t have to carry it. We turn over to you today any burdens or worries that are on our minds. And we trust in your love and power and grace. Amen.