Friday 14th March

It has dawned on me over the past few years in increasing measure that God always has a good reason for what He asks of us.

Take fasting for instance.

Jesus in the Gospels talks to His disciples about fasting as though it is understood that they will be doing it as a matter of course.  He says '  when you fast' , not  ' you should be fasting'  or ' if you fast'   But the Bible isnt really terribly clear about why we should fast.  It just says to do it.

Lo and behold in the past year researchers have come out of the woodwork to tell us that fasting is actually really good for our health.  It lowers cholesterol, alters blood pressure ,maintains a healthy weight and reduces some cancer risks.  So when God says to fast He is not wielding a stick and being a dictator.  And it is not only for our spirituality - to focus us on prayer and our inner life.  He actually genuinely does really know what is good for our health!   And of course if we were all only eating for six days a week instead of seven would we solve the world food crisis??   I have no idea but I suspect it would help

Same with being thankful in all circumstances ( see yesterday's blog).   Psychologists tell us that our mental health improves when we focus on the positives.......  God knew that already.   And what about the sudden craze for mindfulness?  Doesnt drawing aside to be alone, closing the door and spending time ' be(ing) still and know(ing) that I am God'  provide us with those very same benefits?

I think sometimes we still tend to view God as a bit of a hard taskmaster - especially when it comes to the rules and regulations He gives us for living.  But if we were to follow His plan and live by his rules would the world be in the mess its now in?   I was watching the Sport Relief programme last night - where celebrities went to live with the hungry poor for a week and see what it is really like to depend on foodbanks etc.  In every single case bar one, the families were in crazy amounts of debt.  One person was paying back a loan at 15,500% interest !!!!!  Loan sharks and payday loan companies are holding people to ransom up and down the land.  Yet God expressly forbids us to charge interest on loans and sets out repayment methods which prevent people getting into long term entrenched debt.  ( Deut 23.19   Exodus 22;25 ) If we dont do it God's way we get into trouble.

God is interested in every area of our lives.  From sex and relationships to money and food He knows how we work, what we need and what is best for us.  He has given us a manual - the manufacturers instructions called the Bible.  If we ignore His instructions for life we pretty soon find everything is going to pot.  So this Lent let us get back to basics and take the opportunity to retune ourselves again to His word.

Lord,   thank you that everything You do You do for a reason.  You are not illogical, and when You require us to behave in certain ways it is for our good and the good of our society and world.  Help me to live true to Your word even where what You say cuts right across the ' way people do things these days ' .  And when we dont understand why, let us do it anyway just because You have said it and we trust You.