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Examining Your Motives - Part 3

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20

Unless we are careful, looking good can become more important to us than doing good. For example, when others praise us for how much we've helped them, it feels good, doesn't it? The disciples were no different. When Jesus sent them on their first mission, they '...returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us..."' (Luke 10:17). Now while Jesus encouraged them, He also warned them, 'Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you...rejoice that your names are written in heaven.' God does not want us doing the right things for the wrong reasons! Listen: '...for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed' (1 Samuel 2:3).

Jesus taught the practice of secrecy. Listen: 'Beware of practicing your piety before others to be seen by them...' (Matthew 6:1). The practice of secrecy liberates those of us who are trapped by the desire 'to be seen.' It enables us to give up on the whole business of 'impression management.' What is that? Trying to impress others that our motives are pure, our accomplishments stellar, and our life is in better shape than it is. The desert fathers had a saying concerning the connection between the practice of secrecy and a heart that is warm for God: 'If you want to keep the fire hot, you must not open the door to the furnace too often.' Winston Churchill once called Clement Atlee, 'A modest little man, with much to be modest about.' And that describes each of us, doesn't it?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, let me simply rejoice that my name is written in heaven! Help me to not be overly concerned with what others think unless they are helping me to be more like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen