Flippidy Flopping Gums #2

I'm pretty sure we've all been in a place where we're pleased with ourselves spiritually.  Maybe not in the complete satisfaction of the sense, but with, at least, the effort we're putting forth to reach new levels in our relationship with God.  And that's usually when we stumble, am I right?

Yesterday's message was out of Matthew 6:5-13.  Today we are looking at Matthew 6:14-18.

"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.  You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others.  If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part."  So in other words, we have no business even going to God if we aren't doing what He's asked of us- truly forgiving those who've wronged us, hurt us, even.  So we must first give everything up to Him and forgive before we can even get forgiveness for our own wrongdoings, otherwise we will be cut off, not heard.

"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it.  It might turn you into a small-time celebrity, but it won't make you a saint.  If you go into training inwardly, act normal outwardly.  Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face.  God doesn't need attention-getting devices.  He won't overlook what you're doing; He'll reward you well."

So there's a lot here in this little passage.  I'd like to believe, mainly because I see some of the rewards that people get, that those who are training inwardly reap huge rewards.  You may ask, "well how the heck do you know who's training inwardly if they aren't letting you know they are?"  Well.  Good question, my friend.  Let me tell ya something.  You know.  That's it.  You just know.  Look at those folks who aren't attention-getters.  Those folks who, out of nowhere, do something to make you say, "wow.  I want to have that attitude."  They may even be those people who make you feel kinda guilty for worrying about the stupid things that cross your mind because they seem to just quietly trust; they let be.

I worked with this guy recently who is one of the greatest singers I've ever met.  He is crazy, ridiculously talented.  And you wouldn't ever even know that he's in the entertainment business until he is actually onstage, singing His praises to our Lord.  So incredibly modest, so incredibly humble, so incredibly patient, kind, happy...  I could go on and on.  And on top of all that, he's extremely successful, and you would never even know it.  Literally.  I never even know what he's up to until I read about it on the internet, inviting me to his next performance.

I wanna be like him.  You know why?  Because when I look at him, I see Jesus.  I see Jesus more than I see an actual sinful human being.  And I want people to see that when they look at me.  Don't you?

So I write to you today, not to make you feel guilty, even though I feel I am doing that to myself;)  I just want to encourage you to know that God abundantly gives to those people, like what's-his-name I've been talking about.  I won't tell ya who he is because I can almost guarantee he would be extremely embarrassed or feel unworthy of the words.  That's just how he is.

He's a reflection of who I wanna be.  And to those of you who are like him, thank you, and know that God sees your heart.

Amen!

-Tara K