Jean Julian: Drawing Attention, Status Magazine
We are to give, pray, and fast, not to draw attention to ourselves, but to draw our attention to God.
Sharing our thoughts in the space we call social media is a dangerous balance of allowing the blessings and challenges to bless others, of being authentic as a fellow struggling soul, and to squash the temptations toward pride.
It helps when you are another ragamuffin among many with more questions than answers.
But it is so important to dwell most, in the secret place of the Most High.
No one, but God knows your truest, deepest prayers or struggles.
Your most satisfying reward is that God knows and invites you into intimacy with Himself.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.''
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.''
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.''
- Matthew 6:1-6 (ESV)
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.''
- Matthew 6:16-18 (ESV)
