We are in the process of painting our living/dining area a new color...a peaceful pastel blue/green. Paint is a great way to mask problem areas although fortunately, our walls are in good shape. It is also a quick and easy way to bring new color into our lives! What were formerly our bland, off white walls are now vibrant with color. It is amazing how good it makes everything else in the room appear! Suddenly, the same furnishings take on a new appearance!
Our lives are often like the rooms in our homes. We may not be painting ourselves, but we put on an exterior that often hides the interior to make it "look better." Have you ever known someone who is constantly engaged in "good works" but who is also constantly irritable and complaining? They are supposedly doing good deeds but they are frustrated? Not enough hours in the day? Too much traffic? Their kids are interfering with their "good" works? Or have you known someone who goes to daily Mass and appears to be the "perfect" Christian? Yet, none of us are perfect and once the person leaves the church, self-centered behavior develops, constant criticism of others, gossip....not the life that one would guess. We all too often paint ourselves to look good to those around us and are satisfied when we know we have succeeded. But what did Christ say? Jesus tells us that it is not our outward appearance that will be judged. God knows all our thoughts. God knows if an act of kindness is done out of mercy or to give him glory and he knows if an act of kindness was done "to look good" to others. God knows our hearts and minds.....the very depth of our soul. It is only natural to want the respect of those around us....but rather than living our lives to earn the respect of others....wouldn't it be more satisfying to live our lives to give glory to God in all things? If we live our lives with our hearts focused on God, we will do all things "perfectly" in God's eyes....we will have Godly "self-respect" and that can only lead to respect from others. Father, we offer you our thoughts and deeds this day. We ask that you grant us your gift of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen us and to fill us with your love so that all our words, our thoughts and actions give you all honor and glory. Help us to focus on you.....to love you above all things! Amen. (Jan Nichols)
I think we all of us have sometimes have done something to "looks good" in front of others forgetting the real intention and the real meaning of do good things. I believe the important thing is recognize it and be aware that the good that we do in our life if not for "looks good" but to feel good with God and us.
ReplyDeleteOK....I am commenting on the blog I posted which feels weird to me. Anyway, thank you. Doing good works is one thing, but doing them for our own glory, even though someone may benefit, is simply not righteous. We owe God everything...what we have...and that includes everything we can thing of....ALL we have is from God and so He deserves all the glory.....including our good works. As humans we are self-centered, so it takes work...never ending....but possible....so that we ultimately love God SO much that all we do will be for his glory! As John the Baptist said, He must increase while we decrease!
ReplyDeleteSorry. Looks like you posted the comment instead of me. I said this is weird!!! I'm learning! Jan
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