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Fast for Lent
I want to present a new aspect of “fast” for your consideration. Fast doesn’t only mean abstinence from food.
I had a wonderful old Oxford Universal Dictionary, over 2500 pages, and the latest revisions were in 1955. I find it interesting to examine the definitions of words. These searches shed light on older usage (I noticed some references even to the 1400’s) and deeper meanings of our lettered or spoken method of communication.
I looked up “fast” for a talk I was preparing. Once again, I was given another perspective.
Fast also means firm, firmly fixed, not easily moved or shaken; settled, stable. Not easily turned aside, constant, steadfast. Of sleep: Deep, sound, unbroken. Of a colour: Permanent. Other definitions: Firmly or closely knit together, compact, dense, solid. Strong; secure against attack or access. Firmly attached to something else; that cannot easily escape or be extricated; fixed to the spot. To bind together, to pledge, firm grasp, attachment, in a close fitting manner so as to leave no opening. There is stand fast, fast asleep, fasten. Nautically it means a rope, etc. by which a ship or boat is fastened to a wharf.
What if we were to enter Lent with the intention to “fast” in this manner? What would that look like for you? Are you firmly affixed, secure against attack? Are you so close to God that there is no opening? Is it deep and permanent?
The words from which fast originated were listed as: ‘fastan’ to keep, observe, guard and ‘faestan’ to make fast, observe, be strict. I looked up some of the other words.
There is almost a full page on keep and keeping. Here are some interesting thoughts for Lent. “Keep” means the innermost and strongest structure or central tower of a mediaeval castle, serving as a last defense, a tower; a stronghold. To watch for, await, to greet, welcome. To have regard, to care. To guard, defend, protect, preserve. To provide for the sustenance of. To stay or retain one’s place against opposition. To continue, persevere, go on. To remain in good condition; to last without spoiling. Then there is… “keep to” to stick to, abide by; “keep at” to work persistent at; “keep on” to maintain or retain in an existing condition or relation; “keep together” to cause to remain in association or union; and “keep up” maintain in proper condition.
The castle keep - do you have your own innermost place that you go to that is a stronghold? Can you persevere, retaining your place even against opposition?
Observe is from the word for to watch, keep, and it means to adhere to or abide by in practice anything prescribed or fixed. To adhere to, follow, to hold or keep to a manner of life or conduct, a habit.
Do you hold to a manner of life or conduct that you feel is your call? Do you stray from what you feel would be best? Are you willing to come back to your mission to love and let that be your habit?
And the word “strict,” from strictus meaning to draw or bind tight, has an old definition of personal relations meaning close, intimate.
Where are you with respect to your bond with God? Do you feel you have a close, intimate relationship? Could you call or be called Beloved?
This Lent, what would it take for you to “fast” in this way? We don’t do it by our strength alone, but how about using these weeks to preprayer yourself, to move closer, to protect this relationship, to get firmly and intimately attached to the Lord?
As you consider a “fast” for Lent, how about planning to stay “fast” beyond Lent? Through Him, with Him and in Him.
By the way, on my website you can download a Lenten reflection booklet. The Way of the Cross and Resurrection
Lynn Durham, RN, author of From Frazzled to Fantastic! Your One Thought Away From Feeling Better www.lynndurham.com smile@lynndurham.com
Lynn Schwartz Durham is a mother of three sons and a well-being coach living in New Hampshire, USA. Since her childhood days in Lordship, Connecticut where she held “health camp” at the beach, Lynn has been interested in helping others feel better.
A UConn graduate and registered nurse, Lynn has taught nursing, “Women’s Wellness” and “Spirituality and Health.” Lynn speaks, facilitates retreats, and writes - all focused on well-being …for those who want to release anger, anxiety and anguish … for those who want to embrace, cherish and celebrate life!
Lynn has published over 100 articles and columns, is a contributing author to several books, has an audio book called Dancing Gracefully with Life and is the author of From Frazzled to Fantastic! You’re One Thought Away From Feeling Better,
For many years Lynn was a member of the National Speakers Association, the National Wellness Association and the American Association of Therapeutic Humor. She has studied at the Harvard Deaconess Mind Body Medical Institute in Boston where a fellow participant called her a glass of Prozac!
Lynn is also a NH Real Estate Broker in the lakes and mountains area, a grandmother, an artist, dancer and bridge player.
Through contact with Lynn on TV, radio or in person, people change the way they see their world. Whether we find her with a flower in her hat, or spinach in her teeth, Lynn brings her sense of Joy in the Journey wherever she goes.
