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Pastor Craig Groeschel’s* third step in fasting from apathy is simple but difficult: embrace what hurts.  He states that we have bought into the lie that “it’s easier for us to not care.”  Groeschel challenges that lie, saying: “I would rather hurt with a purpose than exist without one.  I would rather hurt with a divine calling than exist without one.  I would rather cry myself to sleep sometimes because we’re not making the difference we want to make instead of binge–watch myself to sleep, wasting my life doing nothing.” 

To fast from apathy is to embrace the hurt.  “If our version of Christianity is all about our comfort, we are following a false God.”  Moses was blessed with a burden – “Let my people go.”  He embraced the risk of pain and through doing so, his efforts freed his people from slavery in Egypt.  Yes, his service was costly, but God burdened his heart with a purpose to make a difference.   

Reflect

Where have you been blessed with a burden?  What do you find yourself doing to try to avoid feeling the hurt?  When was the last time you grieved over the greater impact you wish you could make?  Are you binge–watching yourself to sleep?  Are you using your life for God’s purposes? 

The goal of Christianity is not comfort and ease.  In order to fast from apathy, one must embrace the hurt. 

Study

Luke 19:41-43 

As he came near and saw the city (Jerusalem), he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.  Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 

Pray

Let us pray: 

Lord God, it is so hard to thank you for our burdens, those places where our hearts are heavy when we see pain in this world.  But we say thank you anyway.  Shake us out of our complacency, realizing that “comfort” is not our god or goal in life.  We pray this in the name of the one who calls us to fish for people, Jesus Christ our Lord, 

Amen.

*Used by permission from Life Church.   

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Tags: apathy, devotions, fasting, Lent