This verse has been on repeat in my head over the last few weeks. It’s from one of my favorite passages where God tells us what a true fast is. It isn’t about food; it’s about living a selfless life. Being fully available to people in need – those in your family and your community. Giving of yourself is the truest way to fast and to please the Lord your God. When you learn to do this, even your darkest days will be as bright as the afternoon sun. Your troubles will not blind you, drown you, confound you, nor destroy you. You will retain your vision, your sight, your knowledge and your awareness. You may be overwhelmed, but you will not be overran. Simply because you are rooted in your Source. You are grounded in the knowledge of God being with you and for you. The Light of His Holy Spirit will brighten every crevice and corner of your life. In the process, you learn to endure. You learn to stand. You learn to speak. You learn to embrace your vulnerability. You learn to embrace your strength. You learn to embrace yourself. You learn the value of obedience and surrender. Through your lessons you become able to surrender your selfishness and make yourself available to others’ needs. In this, you become a well-used, and much multiplied, vessel of the Most High God.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” ~ Isaiah 58:9-12, NIV
