“Learn, then, the lesson of becoming a little one, of becoming nothing. A man who fasts–leaving off all those things his appetite improperly craves–does a good thing. But the Christian who is fasting from his own desires and his own will, and who feeds upon God’s will alone, does far better. This is what Paul calls the circumcision of the heart.”
Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717) in Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ (Sargent: CBPH, 1975) 141.
Today marks the third feast day of Lent. Let us feast on God’s will as revealed to us through His Word. It not only washes us. When we leave off those things our appetites improperly crave and feast on God’s Word, according to the Apostle Paul, the Spirit circumcises our hearts (cf. Romans 2:29).
Why become a little one? Why become nothing? Jesus made Himself nothing and the Father’s will was accomplish through Him, the greatest work in human history, the cross, which we will celebrate in five weeks, and we are exhorted to have the same mindset (cf. Philippians 2:1-11).
What’s all this have to do with Lent, fasting, feasting, and generosity? That same text from Paul gives us the answer. When we get out of the way God does His best work through us. We shine like stars in the world (cf. Philippians 2:12-18). Feast on that today, and shine on!