Yesterday I was chatting online with my son, Brian. As we chatted I asked him if he had given anything up for Lent. He replied, "I can't tell you that, Mom. It's a secret. That's meant to be just between me and God." OUCH!
I thought about that throughout the evening and more this morning. And Brian is right! Jesus clearly says that we're meant to do 3 things in secret: give, pray and fast. I think we, as Christ followers, have lost sight of that.
Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
We talk openly about how we serve and give, what we've sacrificed and given up, what we are fasting from and for how long, we even let the media publish our "good deeds" before men. Matthew 6:1-4
We serve the poor and post it all over Facebook. We do a good deed and call the media!
But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. verses 17-18
How many conversations have I had with people about what we've given up for Lent? How did I forget or misunderstand Christ's words?
I wonder how many blessings I've forfeited by making sure others knew about my praying and giving and fasting. I wonder how God feels about me plastering pictures of the poor all over the internet? Jesus said that when I do that and men think well of me for it, then that is my reward in full.
Thanks for this reminder and challenge, Brian! I want to be content in knowing that God sees. He rewards and that is enough!!!
I gotta start keeping better secrets!
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