Day 2: September 27
“. . . your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:4
I feel good when I do nice things for people, but I feel even better when I get recognized for those things. Sometimes it’s hard to have done something nice and know that I will never get credit for the work I put it. Now, it’s not bad to get recognized for doing good, but our intent should be to be Christlike and to love others as Jesus would have loved.
A good friend of mine used to go to eat at a restaurant around Christmas time and watch as the families came through. After finding a family whom he felt needed some Christmas joy, he would tell his waitress that he wanted to pay for their dinner. Normally, he would have the opportunity to see when the waitress told them that their bill had been paid. He said that it was an amazing to share in their joy!
During our journey of intentional living, you may want to put on a sad face or brag about how faithful you have been. This is the tight walk we we will be walking. On one hand we want to talk about our journey, on the other we want to keep our suffering or work secret. Here’s the difference:
- Do talk with your family and friends that will help to keep you going and keep you accountable. You can also get them excited about the amazing things that God is doing in your life.
- Don’t brag about your faithfulness. Jesus said that your reward is paid in full, but if God sees what is done in secret, your reward will be in heaven. When you brag about how much work you’ve been doing or how you’ve sacrificed, you build yourself up. Jesus says that the first will be last and the last will be first.
So, as a symbol of the beginning of your inward and spiritual journey, here is your challenge:
Challenge: Take several quarters with you and leave one in an area where someone can find it. Make sure that no one sees you leave it. If possible situate yourself where you can watch as it gets picked up. Think about the joy that the person who finds the quarter feels with their good fortune. How did it feel? Hide these things in your heart.
Prayer: God help me to be a cheerful giver. Free me for joyful obedience. Amen
