Why I’m Taking a Nazarite Vow
Do you have a dangerously encouraging friend? One who raises the bar on all your ideas and suggests you take it even further?
My sister Katie is that for me; for better or worse, I do the same for her. If one of us has a fun idea, the other person will jump on board. If one of us has a spiritual longing, the other will dive into prayer and processing with her.
And that’s why I was all in when my sister brought up the idea of taking a Nazarite vow together. The Nazarite vow is a fasting process given by God to the Israelites in Numbers 6, a consecration process for any man or woman who wants to be set apart for the work of the Lord. I was particularly drawn to it because the “priestly blessing” of Numbers 6 (The Lord bless you + keep you…) is right after the Nazarite vow, and some theologians believe anyone who took a Nazarite vow was given the authority to grant that blessing.
This just happens to be the same blessing we recite over our kids before they get out of the car to go to school. So, a) I love a good fast and moment set aside for God, and b) I would love for my priestly blessing to have any extra spiritual oomph it can, you know?
The first Nazarite vow was abstaining from alcohol or grapes of any kind, refraining from cutting your hair, and the real kicker: not being around any dead bodies. But I happened to listen to this fantastic podcast about taking a Nazarite vow and abstaining from the particular idols of your culture, so that’s the version I’m doing. Starting today, for thirty days, I’ll be cutting out alcohol, shopping of any kind, and any TV streaming unless it’s with my family.
The second punch of the Nazarite vow is that you must shave your head if you break it. And that extra weight helps me remember that I want to let my yes be yes. So when I say I’m doing something to the Lord, I want it to hold its beautiful consequence.
Ok, very last thing, because I think this is worth noting:
I never want to do a fast because I believe it will make me closer to God. I never want to do a fast because I think it will make me more lovable to God. I’m loved. He sent His Son so that I could be close to Him. However, I am excited for this fast to make agreements with my closeness, to live out and live into my consecration.
And here’s hoping I don’t have to shave my head, amen?
Jess