The Dawn Of All

Chapter 1.16

"Is not this 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 shelter the poor wanderer—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your 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 on 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 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."

Isaiah 58:6-11

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Mark and Anthony grew up in a busy city where the streets were always crowded and buildings stretched high into the sky. Life was fast-paced, and like most people, they focused on their work, rarely paying attention to the people they passed by daily. Mark, the older brother, worked as a manager in a local company, while Anthony, who was younger by a few years, worked part-time as he finished his studies.

One evening, the two of them were walking home together. They had both had long days, and the exhaustion showed on their faces. As they strolled through a quiet street, they noticed a man sitting by the side of the road, shivering from the cold. He had a thin blanket wrapped around him and a worn-out cardboard sign that read, "Hungry. Please help."

Mark slowed down and nudged Anthony. "You see that man? He's been here the past few nights. It must be tough living out here."

Anthony glanced at the man and then back at Mark. "Yeah, but what can we do? I mean, giving him a few coins won't change his situation."

Mark sighed, but the thought stayed with him. They continued walking, their thoughts swirling as they talked about the challenges they both faced at work and school. However, as they passed other streets, they couldn't help but notice more people huddled against the cold or rummaging through garbage bins. The sight of it all left them unsettled.

The next day, Anthony couldn't shake the images of those they'd seen. He met up with Mark at a coffee shop and brought up an idea.

"Mark, remember that verse we read recently? Isaiah 58. The one about true fasting. I've been thinking about it a lot," Anthony began, looking at his coffee as if it held all the answers he needed.

Mark nodded. "The one that talks about freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry?"

"Yeah," Anthony replied. "We always talk about fasting as if it's just about giving up food or something we enjoy. But that verse says fasting can be more than that. It's about actively helping people. Maybe we could try something different this time. Do something for the people we saw."

Mark considered it; his brow furrowed. "What do you have in mind? "

Anthony took a deep breath. "What if we go beyond just giving money? What if we spend some time, get to know them, and maybe help in ways that last? I think that's what the verse is asking of us. To use our lives, our time, to help."

Mark leaned back, thinking about it. "It'll take time. And energy. It's not as easy as it sounds."

"I know," Anthony replied, "but we could start small. Just a few hours on the weekend. See where it takes us."

That weekend, Mark and Anthony decided to start with the man they had seen on their walk home. They packed a couple of sandwiches, some blankets, and extra clothes and headed to the spot where they'd seen him. They found him still sitting there, his face worn and tired.

Mark approached him cautiously. "Hi there. We saw you a few nights ago. My name is Mark, and this is my brother, Anthony."

The man looked up, his eyes guarded. "I'm Joe," he said quietly.

Anthony held out the bag they had brought. "We thought you might need a few things. Food, a blanket, and some clothes. Is that alright with you? "

Joe looked at the bag, then at the brothers, and nodded slowly. "Thank you," he whispered, as if he were still trying to understand their kindness.

Mark and Anthony sat down on the curb beside him. They spent the next hour talking to Joe, learning about his life and the struggles that had led him to the streets. He shared stories of a life that had once been steady, only to fall apart due to a series of unfortunate events.

"You know," Mark said gently, "we're not here just to give you food for today. We want to help in any way we can. Is there something more long-term we can do for you? "

Joe looked away, his eyes damp. "Honestly, I don't even know where to begin. People walk by me all day, but no one has ever stopped to ask me that."

The brothers left that day feeling both heavy-hearted and inspired. They realized that their decision to help couldn't just be a one-time thing. To make a real difference, they would need to be consistent and committed.

Over the next few weeks, Mark and Anthony made it a habit to visit Joe and others they had met on the streets. They brought meals, helped connect them with local shelters, and even organized a small group from their neighborhood to join in the effort. Together, they created care packages, provided basic supplies, and started building a small network of people who genuinely cared about making a change.

One evening, as they were handing out meals, Joe pulled Mark aside. "You know, you two have given me more than just food and clothes. You've given me hope. I haven't felt that in years."

Mark smiled, touched by Joe's words. "It's not just us, Joe. This is something bigger than any of us."

Their efforts soon extended beyond food and supplies. Mark and Anthony began to hold small meetings where they invited those in need to share their stories and skills. They encouraged others to offer jobs, connect with services, and even help people with small tasks. Their little project grew into something powerful, something that involved people across their community.

As they continued their work, Mark and Anthony found their own lives enriched in ways they hadn't expected. They felt a deeper connection to their faith, a renewed purpose in their daily routines, and a sense of fulfillment that went beyond anything they had experienced before.

One evening, after a long day of volunteering, Anthony turned to Mark with a smile. "I think we've found what true fasting is."

Mark nodded, feeling the truth of his brother's words. "It's not just about giving something up—it's about giving yourself. This is what Isaiah meant. To free, to uplift, to serve."

Anthony smiled. "And it feels like... our light is breaking forth as that verse said. I can't explain it, but it's as if helping others is lifting a weight off us, too."

Their journey taught them that true fasting went beyond personal sacrifice. It was about lifting others, using what they had to ease the burdens of those around them. They realized that every act of kindness, every shared meal, and every moment spent listening could bring light into even the darkest places.

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dghlmnrt: Helping others doesn't always require grand gestures or a large sum of money. Sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness—like sharing a meal, listening, or offering a warm smile—can make a huge difference in someone's life. We all have the power to be a light to those around us, not just by what we give but by how we care. True compassion is about seeing others' needs and responding with love, even when no one else is watching.