Even When Nobody Notices

Even When Nobody Notices 
KAREN EHMAN

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 (CSB)

Recently I took a train trip to spend a few days with a friend. After making a scheduled stop, the train pulled out of the depot, slowly meandering through the countryside.

Before it reached full speed, we came to a wide space of fields, where mostly brown and beige weeds and overgrown briars grew as far as the eye could see. However, ahead in the distance, my eye caught a sudden splash of brilliant lavender standing in stark contrast to the bland, unbecoming foliage.

In a few minutes, this patch of purple came more clearly into view. When it did, I spied the biggest and most gorgeous lilac bush I’ve ever seen, with blooms so enormous I thought they might topple the bush right over. I thought to myself, What a shame this magnificent plant was situated way out there in the boondocks where hardly anyone could see it.

But you know what? The remote location of that breathtaking bush does not detract from its splendor. It matters not that it draws few onlookers. It is still a stunning display of growth and life. Not having an audience doesn’t make it any less lovely.

I’m learning that much of what God calls us to do in day-to-day life isn’t all flashy and post-worthy. Instead, it’s ordinary, intended to be done quietly, with no spotlight drawing attention to it.

Before it reached full speed, we came to a wide space of fields, where mostly brown and beige weeds and overgrown briars grew as far as the eye could see. However, ahead in the distance, my eye caught a sudden splash of brilliant lavender standing in stark contrast to the bland, unbecoming foliage.

In a few minutes, this patch of purple came more clearly into view. When it did, I spied the biggest and most gorgeous lilac bush I’ve ever seen, with blooms so enormous I thought they might topple the bush right over. I thought to myself, What a shame this magnificent plant was situated way out there in the boondocks where hardly anyone could see it.

But you know what? The remote location of that breathtaking bush does not detract from its splendor. It matters not that it draws few onlookers. It is still a stunning display of growth and life. Not having an audience doesn’t make it any less lovely.

I’m learning that much of what God calls us to do in day-to-day life isn’t all flashy and post-worthy. Instead, it’s ordinary, intended to be done quietly, with no spotlight drawing attention to it.

In this verse, the word “righteousness” in the original Greek means an action having God’s approval and deemed to be right in His eyes. We’re cautioned that doing such actions in order to be seen by others gains us no reward in heaven. When we perform these deeds merely to elevate ourselves in others’ eyes, it’s nothing more than a spiritual show.

On the flip side, we can also conclude that doing righteous acts with the right perspective — because they please God — is how we are to behave and will be rewarded by Him.

As we grow and blossom in our walk with the Lord, let’s be on the lookout for ways to show kind and compassionate service to others, doing so only to glorify God rather than promote ourselves. You may not gather a large audience. But let’s keep serving Jesus by serving others, even when He’s the only one who notices.

Father, help me to love and serve others out of a pure heart, with my only motive being to glorify You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (CSB) 

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast.” (CSB)