Today's Scripture:

Isaiah 58:1-12 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “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.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
Fasting is to be a selfless act of worship. When "acts" of worship are a check of your to-do list and do not have the right intentions, they are as good as not doing them at all. Your relationship with God is only as good as what you do when you're not expecting anything in return or when someone is not watching. When you act out of love and mercy, the Message version says "your lives will begin to glow in the darkness."

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
This passage reminds that in order for me to truly be worshipping, I need to commit and not just go through the motions or because everyone is doing it. When I was in middle school, during Lent, everyone was giving something up, and I felt pressure to do so. I didn't understand why I was fasting from soda, ice cream, you name it, but I felt like it was what I supposed to do. Isaiah 58 states that God and your relationship with Him isn't to be used as a crutch. You need to be fully invested and "your righteousness will pave your way." I mentioned this above, but I love how the Message puts it: you will begin to glow in the darkness and this reminds me of John 1:5. Jesus is the light of the world and the darkness cannot overcome it. When we act as Jesus would with intent, we glow.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
As a rule follower, I feel pressure to make sure I'm doing all I should in the eyes of others. I get wrapped up in the motions and get down on myself when I miss my set aside devo or prayer time. Going into this Lenten season, instead of giving something up, I want to give it all. At Baylor, conversations about God are common, but I don't want to stop there. I want my actions to reflect what Micah 6:8 says: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God."

About Natalie French:
I'm a junior at Baylor University. I have two sisters, Jenna and Sophia, and Jenna goes to Baylor with me!
I've been at Grace since I was three, when my dad started working here. I've been involved in VBS, Sunday School through the grades, and various mission trips and projects. I also attended Grace School through 8th grade.