Spring Break – as we know it in the United States – began in the late 1930s when the swimming coach at Colgate University in upstate New York brought the team down to Ft. Lauderdale for some focused training at a complex that had just installed an Olympic -size pool.
The idea quickly caught on with other coaches, but by the 1960s, had morphed into the annual tradition we are most familiar with. And while I fully realize all the things that are typically implied, Spring Break is meant to provide students a respite from their classes and studies, an opportunity to rest, recharge and refocus.
I hope this last week has afforded you the opportunity to receive some of that. A few weeks ago, we began talking about fasting, it’s place in our lives as individuals as well as a church family. To some degree, fasting can also be understood as a “break,” but it’s truly more about the opportunity to refocus. But on what?
In his book, Spiritual Disciplines, Donald Whitney gives us ten possible biblical purposes for when we fast:
- to strengthen our prayer life
- to seek God’s guidance
- to express grief (over loss, over death, over our sins…)
- to seek deliverance or protection (for ourselves, for others…)
- to express repentance, to reconcile with God
- to humble ourselves
- to focus our attention on where God is at work
- to understand and minister to the needs of those around us
- to overcome temptation and commit ourselves more fully to the Lord
- to express to God our love, our gratitude, and our worship
Over time, we’ll take the opportunity to dive deeper into each of these, but for now, I thought it valuable enough to simply list them as we continue to increase our understanding of what it is God is calling us to do.
To be honest, I’m not much of a swimmer. I can, but nothing like Julie. She swam competitively growing up. Now, I might be able to compete at the Goldfish Swim School (then again, maybe not), but those who perform at the highest levels… the discipline and commitment they put into achieving their goals is nothing short of inspiring.
Prayer and fasting are not competitive sports, but they are disciplines that must develop over time. They require commitment and sacrifice. But, not unlike the Olympians who get to stand on the podium would tell you, it’s completely worth it.
Ready to dive in?