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A Quiet Revolution of Humility
Jon Burgess“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1
Do we want recognition of revolution? Do we want to be seen or to see Jesus? Do we want the applause of man or the applause of Heaven? These are the questions Jesus is asking as he contrasts what the religious leaders do with what He has called His disciples to do.
Giving: “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others." Mt. 6:2
Praying: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others." Mt. 6:5
Fasting: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Mt. 6:16
It goes without saying that giving, praying, and fasting is to be the hallmarks of our faith. Jesus isn't telling us to not do these things, He's telling us how to do them. It's all about where the focus of the heart is at while we do them. He is protecting His followers from falling into the same hypocrisy by revealing the strategy of secrecy. Be public with your faith, but private with your deeds so that your heart's motives stay pure before Him. Then, He will be the only One who gets the glory.
When I asked the Lord for a word for 2018 He gave me the phrase, "A Quiet Revolution of Humility". This seemed like an oxymoron as every revolution I've ever read about in History was done with great bombast and attention so as to excite the crowds to change. Yet, as always, the ways of The Kingdom are not the ways of the kingdoms of this world. Jesus gives us a roadmap for the Quiet Revolution of Humility right here:
Giving: 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Mt. 6:3-4
Praying: 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Mt. 6:6
Fasting: 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Mt. 6:17-18
This is the counter-culture coup of the Kingdom of God that no one will see coming! All of the sudden lives will be changed, healings taking place, provision flowing to massive needs in a revolutionary manner. When people begin to look around for the hero to celebrate, the holy man to congratulate, or the pious person to put on a pedestal all they will see are regular men and women who are madly in love with Jesus and perfectly content serve from the shadows. As we say "So long" to celebrity Christianity we say "Hello" to the glorious move of Holy Spirit throughout our lives and land. Instead of seeking the spotlight we will seek to be the light. To a world enamored with finding their fifteen minutes of fame may the Church be the ones pointing to the revolutionary reality of eternity through Jesus Christ.
Nothing is humbling as praying, fasting and givingbecause it often feels as if nothing is happening or changing. The thing about a revolution is that there will be an extreme change. What You are reminding me of this morning is that if I want to see change "out there" I must first be changed "in here". I repent for mypride and insecurity that wants to be recognized for my accomplishments. I repent formy impatience in waiting for the change so I rush ahead and try to create change on my own terms and with my own charisma. I don't need people to follow me. I need people to follow You! Continue to unpack this word as I continue to contend for a Quiet Revolution of Humility in 2018!
