If you’ve been reading my blog you’ll know I’m blogging through Kyle Idleman’s book “Not a Fan.”  (You can catch up here.) Today I’m discussing the fourth question in diagnosing fandom: are you more focused on the outside than the inside?

Are you a Sadducee or Pharisee? Are you choosing rules over a relationship? Are you choosing laws over love? Are you choosing guilt over grace?

In other words are you missing what really matters most because you are more focused on the outside than the inside?

Let me share a little example.

Last January we did the Daniel fast as part of a church wide fast. For the entire 21 days I was completely absorbed in the what I could/couldn’t eat. If you ask me what I got out of it, I wouldn’t be able to tell you…other than knowing exactly what you can and can’t eat on the Daniel fast.

This January I was not going to fast. And I was pretty emphatic about it. I was not going to put myself through 21 days of extreme vegan diet. But something our pastor said made me stop and think. He pointed out that the point of the fast wasn’t to get all legalistic about food but to bring you closer to God.

So I fasted again.

And this time it was entirely different.

Yes, I followed the rules…to a point, but it was more about spending time with God than in worrying about what I ate.

And that’s the whole point.

Jesus want to spend time with you…He doesn’t care if you don’t follow every teeny tiny rule of a fast.

Jesus wants you to get closer to Him…He doesn’t care if you eat at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg because you went on vacation in the middle of your fast. (Note to self: do not start a fast if you’re going on vacation!)

Jesus wants you to mature in your walk with Him…He doesn’t care if you have to substitute organic blue corn chips for matzos because there isn’t a kosher section to be found anywhere in Pigeon Forge. Grits…yes…matzos…no.

A fan worries about what they’re eating…a follower chases after Jesus.

Blessings!

What are you being legalistic about in your life? Is there anything else on your heart today? Join the conversation below so we can all share in the blessing!

photo credit: monoglot via photopin cc