Lent Day 25 / March 17 Matthew 6:16-18 says, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do... when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Show and tell for kindergarten students? Yep! Love it! Show and tell as adults prayerful to God? Eh, Jesus says, “No.” The intentionality with being “seen” as religious piousness to the juxtaposition of our Father being unseen is, in itself, not only interesting but also applicable when we ask, “How IS God seen?”
This marvelous question has millions and millions of answers. And that? Yes! That is ssssweet! In addition to God being seen in nature (including the starry skies), we can see a trend when we consider even a miniscule portion of these millions and millions of answers. Our unseen Father is seen not in us, per se. Yikes, that would a tall order! Rather, God is seen in what we do when we care for nature and for neighbor.
Today, let’s remember this unseen God who sends messages, “to do” lists, and both gentle and obvious nudges that call us to care for His Kingdom. Let God be seen not in you, but in what you do not for self but in service to our Servant Leader.
TRY IT: If you think for a moment that your name and fame should be attached to a godly act, oops, stop. Instead, let God use you anonymously and beautifully for His glory, not yours.
PRAYER: Lord, keep the light on You, not me. Amen.