The Holy Spirit indwells us and accompanies us so that we might progressively love God and love neighbors in ways that increasingly reflect the ways Christ loves God and neighbor. The Spirit enables and empowers us to both perceive and practice this barrier-breaking and bridge-building love seen so clearly in Jesus.
But, practically speaking, how does this happen? The Holy Spirit is a presence few of us seem to be able to comprehensively explain or consistently experience. How can we live by the power of the Spirit and stand in resistance to all the powers today that seek to build barriers and break bridges? How can he be our wine that we might love under his influence; our wind that we might love by his initiative; our word so that we might love by his instruction; our fire so that we might love by his refining; our flow so that we might love by his refreshing; and our fruit that we might love by his resilience?
In their book Disciplines of the Holy Spirit Siang-Yang Tan and Douglas Gregg propose that one of the central ways we move into this mode of being is through the discipline of surrender:
“The Holy Spirit cannot work fully unless we are yielded to him. A fundamental battle for control is under way. Will it be our way or his way? Will we give up all things for the sake of the only thing worth having, life with God himself? God wants our surrender.
Surrender–yielding, submission, letting go–this is the primary posture of one who seeks to be empowered by a Power beyond themselves.
Yet, as David Benner writes in Surrender to Love, surrender can only truly and fully take place when we are deeply rooted and resting in the love of God:
The motive for any obedience you might offer will be fear rather than love, and there will be little genuine surrender. Surrender involves relaxing, and you must feel safe before you can relax. How could anyone ever expect to feel safe enough to relax in the presence of a God who is preoccupied with their shortcomings and failings?
Surrender only authentically occurs in the context of belovedness. As we rest contentedly in the sure love of God, we relax in safety, and thus we surrender our wills and agendas and plans, because we’ve never beheld such a love like this. Being loved naturally leads to a letting go:
As we enter the disciplines of yielding and submission, as we ‘become less’ and our wills are submitted more and more to his will, we can expect a tidal wave of God’s love to carry us straight into all the fullness of God. Yielding to God involves the most passionate love and desire; it is the natural fruit of a growing love affair with the divine. As we surrender, we become, by the power of the Spirit, so much one with our Lord that the thought of what we have given up never enters our mind.”
This is what Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. When he prayed “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39), he surrendered himself to the will of the Father. Jesus had an ability to surrender to the Father because he was adored by the Father. The more we are grounded in God’s love the more we are able to give up all that we love.
There are many spiritual practices that can develop a sense of surrender. One of those is fasting. Siang-Yang Tan and Douglas H. Gregg write this:
Fasting brings surrender to our appetites for food and other things we hold too close or take for granted (TV, music, recognition, money, relationships, travel). As we take a break or fast from things that ‘hold us,’ we give the Holy Spirit room to change us. He enables us to be appropriately disengaged from the world. He gives greater freedom from all the things that bombard our senses so that we can be more spiritually sensitive.
Fasting has a powerful shaping force on our wills. As we give up small things, we become more and more able to let go of all things. This, in turn, opens us up to the work of the Spirit so that we might truly live in love.
There are at least three different types of fasting found in the Bible and in the life of the early church:
- “Normal Fast” or “Liquid Fast” – consuming only water, or juice, for a period of time and forgoing all food and sustenance.
- “Abstinence” or “Partial Food Fast” – Because the prophet Daniel abstained from certain foods, this is sometimes called a “Daniel Fast.” Some forgo particular foods (e.g., chocolate, red meat, pasta, caffeine) for a specific time. Some abstain from all foods except vegetables or dry foods and grains. In Eastern Orthodox churches fasting involves abstaining from meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, oil and alcohol.
- “Absolute Fast” – A person may choose to neither eat nor drink anything for a period of time.
While fasting in the Bible is always associated in some way with the absence of food or drink, throughout Christian history fasting has taken other forms. Abstaining from consumer items and everyday practices such as shopping, lattes, Internet or cell phone use, news media, entertainment and music can also free up time for prayer, Bible reading and reflection. These alternative forms may be especially useful to those who may have a history of eating disorders or other health concerns.
Set aside a season for fasting. It could be a few days during a month or quarter. It could be a time each week. It could be something you do alone or in covenant with others.
If you are new to fasting, you might begin by fasting for one meal, or by practicing a partial food fast or an alternative fast. Spend the time with God that you would normally spend eating (or doing whatever you’ve fasted from). As you get used to this, you can work your way up to longer fasts or more intense fasts. Fasting after supper and until supper the next day is a simple way to extend your fast–missing breakfast and lunch. Give your body time to adjust. You may be more tired on days you fast (you may also have bad breath). Don’t break your fast with a huge meal–eat small portions of food.
However you fast, ensure it is combined with prayer. These two practices, performed together, are key to participating with God in his supernatural work in the world. Fasting can move you closer to surrender and thus to live empowered by the Spirit for love.
