Matthew 6:5-18
Reflect
I have pretty distinct memories of being a kid and jumping on our recently purchased trampoline in our backyard. Every time I learned a new trick, I’d yell out, “Hey Dad, watch this!” and my Dad would graciously turn his attention towards me over and over and over again. If you’ve ever spent any length of time with young kids, you’ve probably experienced hearing those words repeatedly too.
As we grow up, we refine our techniques, and it becomes a lot more subtle. But there’s something in us that still craves that attention, someone to notice what we’re doing and to validate that we’re doing a good job. But when it comes to our spiritual life, who we look to for attention and validation has a profound impact on our sense of identity and worth. Jesus teaches us in these sections on prayer and fasting that we’re not to do these spiritual disciplines in ways that look for attention and validation from the people around us, but rather we should only be looking for these things from God.
Apply
As you go through this day, take a moment to reflect on how you look for attention and validation from others, and ask God to show you how He sees you.
Pastor Dave
Pray
- Pray that God’s Spirit would work powerfully and effectively in all the various activities taking place on our church calendar this weekend.
- Pray for our Young Adults & Worship Arts Pastor, Daunavan Buyer, his family and his interns, Stephen Alksne, Julia Brown, Jessica Hancock, and Grant Mix.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Christine Okken.