September 14, 2006

For His Eyes Only

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Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. —Matthew 6:18

Typically, as we age we lose our prominence and our positions of influence. Even those of us who have never sought the limelight seem increasingly to fade into the shadows.

Obscurity and anonymity are good, however, for it is difficult to perform in public without wondering what impression we’re making on others. We fret over the extent that our reputations are being enhanced or damaged. And therein lies our peril: To the degree that we seek human recognition, we forfeit God’s approval. On the other hand, to lose the admiration of men and women may turn us to seek God’s approval only.

Here is a test for our gifts, our prayers, our fasts: Are they done for God’s eyes only? If so, though overlooked and unnoticed by others, we have our Father’s acknowledgment and reward.

Three times Jesus repeated to His disciples: “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matt. 6:4,6,18). This is our assurance as well. Every unobserved gift of time, energy, and love; every petition we whisper in our Father’s ears; every secret, inward struggle against sin and self-indulgence will be fully rewarded in due time. In the end, His “Well done, good and faithful servant” is all that will matter (Matt. 25:21). —David H. Roper

All service rendered to the Lord
Is sure to gain His rich reward;
And if we work with motives pure,
Our weakest efforts will endure. —D. De Haan

There is no reward from God to those who seek it from men. —Spurgeon

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year: Proverbs 19-21; 2 Corinthians 7

Rus, it brings to mind the thought I often use & try to always think about.

You are not "WHO YOU ARE" when the public is watching, scrutinizing & cataloging. You are "WHO YOU ARE" when you are in your own world, alone, private, away from friends/family who will possibly "not know".

How are you in your car, while driving?

How are you to the server at a restaurant (when you are dining alone)

How are you to the checkout workers at various stores.

How are you to the meter man, the garbage pick up people, the janitors all over?

How are you on your income tax return?

How are you on the privacy of your TV & computer?

How are you on the phone when disgruntled & talking to a minimum wage worker at any given service or retail center?

Character is what it is all about.

In Christ we transform to His likeness, but we will always have those private & personal demons to fight along the way.

Thank you as always for your contributions of the cuppa here & other threads at FR,

You are a treasure