REPUTATION
Kendra Intihar
Today’s Scripture: “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.” Matthew 6:5, ESV
Theme: Pray with a sincere heart.
PERFORMANCE vs. REALNESS
When Jesus warns us not to pray as to be seen by others but instead to pray with a sincere heart (Matthew 6:5-7), I’m reminded of the ways He continues to rescue me from my lifelong struggle with vanity. For as long as I can remember, I have often been guilty of “performing” my life instead of “living” it in authenticity. Much like the hypocrites mentioned in Matthew 6:5, I have desired to be seen and praised, but God has been gracious to gently show me the ways I do this when I ask Him. He reminds me to check my motives when my performative self comes creeping in. Sometimes, I listen to Him. Sometimes, I don’t.
WHOSE PARTY IS THIS, ANYWAY?
Ten years ago, when my daughter was turning five, I was at the apex of my “mommy blogging” phase, and I had just discovered Pinterest. I planned my little girl’s party like most people plan a wedding. There was going to be handmade bunting, the perfect birthday dress, old-fashioned games, adorably labeled birthday delicacies, and a flawless, thematic color scheme. There were some of those big, fat, fancy, ten-dollars-a piece balloons, a series of photo-ops, and an idyllic park and playground setting in the background. The blogosphere was going to love this incredible content.
I was so proud of my plans for that day, but as the perfect little cake-topper I had made began to fold over on itself before the festivities began, it hit me: the party wasn’t supposed to be for me. The party wasn’t supposed to be for my blog followers. The party wasn’t even supposed to be for my daughter’s guests. The party was for my daughter. And there I was, obsessing over dumb details that wouldn’t matter to her at all. It was such an “aha” moment for me.
IMPERFECT, BUT AUTHENTIC
She and her friends had a great time at my carefully executed, Pinterest-worthy party, but that day, I made a promise to myself. I would create special moments for my daughter because I love her and not because they would make for compelling content. Even if the party didn’t have a matching color scheme. Even if the candles were wonky. Even if the cake was from the Duncan Hines box and not from the boutique bakery. Even if her friends made their own fun instead of playing my meticulously designed games. Even if it was imperfect, it would still be perfect because birthday parties aren’t meant to be a spectator sport with score cards for judging. I vowed that day to stop trying so hard because, in the end, the striving-for-perfection wasn’t what mattered most.
I’d be lying to you if I told you that I no longer worry about what people think, but I do have an abiding awareness of my personal difficulties in this area. I’ve developed a habit of assessing my motives when I see myself “performing” my life – and my faith – instead of genuinely living it.
Make it Personal: The story of my daughter’s fifth birthday continues to humble me more than a decade later, and it reminds me that our reputation as Christians – what’s seen by others – is far less important than our actual commitment to Christ. Ask yourself: When I’m praying, is it just me and the Lord, or am I figuratively “peeking” to make sure others know I’m praying? Am I storing up the fleeting treasures of “renown,” “recognition,” and “reputation” here on earth, or am I storing up permanent treasures in Heaven by authentically following Jesus? I want pleasing God to be my ultimate desire. If that’s your desire, too, will you join me in praying for that this week?
Pray: Lord, how often have I performed not just my life, but my faith? How often have I tried to show people how “Christian” I am without actually spending intentional time in Your presence? I thank You that my prayers don’t have to be perfect; they just have to be real. Today, I ask You to root out the vanity that remains in my heart so that the ‘words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart’ will be pleasing to You (Psalm 19:14). In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Read: Luke 18:9-14; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 119:37; Ephesians 2:12-21
Weekly Memory Verse: “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 (ESV)