EXCELLENCE UNSEEN
Matthew
6:3: “But when you give to the needy, do
not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
Ten
year old Jeremy and Brad high-fived each other.
“We’re going to be part of the Wolfpack!” they screeched wildly.
The
Midget League scheduled one game at North Carolina State University.
“Not
to spoil your celebration guys…” classmate Cassie said, “but you realize that your game will be
televised; are you ready for that?”
Jeremy
grinned from ear-to-ear, “Oh yeah, we’re ready for prime-time!”
But
they weren’t ready.
Saturday
morning, the Midget League football game was certainly a show. A show of prime-time disaster. The ten -
twelve year old boys were not ready for prime time. Television cameras distracted them. Their coaches couldn’t get them focused. They forgot plays. But in the end, Jeremy and Brad’s team scored
a field goal. They won 3-0.
Excellence
was expected, but not seen on the football field that day.
That’s
the thing about prime-time on the big stage.
You’d better be ready. Madison
Square Garden. The Apollo. Wrigley Field. Everyone’s heard the names of the famous
places where basketball games, comedians, and baseball games are seen. Excellence is expected. People applaud excellence.
But,
after dinner, Jeremy washed the dishes without being asked. Brad tutored the little boy next store in
math. That’s where they excelled
Saturday.
“You
guys looked great in your purple uniforms!” Cassie said, the following
Monday. Jeremy just chuckled.
Cassie
put a hand on his shoulder, “You’ll both do better the next time,” she said,
trying to get him to smile.
The
boys’ true excellence was unseen.
What
they didn’t realize is that God doesn’t look on the football field to applaud
excellence. It’s when people return home
and perform their chores without having to be asked that they shine the
brightest. It’s when they help the
neighbors without telling anybody that they perform excellently. Yes, God smiled Saturday afternoon at the
boys’ unseen, unapplauded excellence.
Jesus
despises show-offs. He said that when
the Pharisee prayed loud and long thanking God that he wasn’t like others, he
already got his reward. In full.
He’d better not expect Jesus to reward him with, “Well-done, good and faithful
servant.” (Matthew 25:21).
Take Home Nugget
Jesus
urges His followers to give, pray and serve unseen by others. We are to complete these things only before
the eyes of the Father, “who sees what is done in
secret,” (Matthew 6:18).
The whole world is our stage, but the
only one who matters that we impress is God.
Holy Father, I confess that I want
people see my good works. I even brag
about them! Give me a heart that only
wants to please You, practicing righteousness on secret. Amen.
Adapted from “Excellence in the Quiet Place.” Dr. Tony Evans. September 29, 2015. The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com. Kingdom
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J.D. Griffith
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