Lent: Secret yet Seen

Lent is a season of liberation from wrong audiences. During Lent we remember who is our audience. Os Guiness said, "I live for the audience of one—before others I have nothing to gain, nothing to lose nothing to prove."

A young pianist who was very aware of his great skills was performing his “graduating” concert at a large music theatre in town. After his last song, the whole crowd got up and applauded. With many flowers and prizes in hand, he went to his change room, but he looked downcast. His best friend asked him, “What is wrong with you? You did it! You got a standing ovation!" The pianist responded, “But the old man on the front row wasn’t clapping.” “Who cares?! He must be deaf,” said his friend. The pianist said, “That was my teacher.”

Performing well in front of others is not always a sign of success, nor does it bring fulfillment. In Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18 we read that showing off or pretending to be better, more generous, or more spiritual than we really are for the sake of human admiration makes us hypocrites. Hypocrisy uses the poor and God himself just to gain honour. It can turn worship and mission into excuses to earn admiration. Yet, pursuing our own honour never satisfies, nor does it end well. Satan, or Lucifer (light-bringer) before the fall, had great glory and honour living with the Father. Yet that was not enough. He went after God’s own glory, which led to his end. Only God can hold glory well without corruption. Let’s bring to Jesus our God-given need to be seen, acknowledged, and affirmed.

During Lent we examine our motives and aim to return to an undivided love for God. In prayer, fasting, and giving to the needy we aim to please God alone. In our offerings and sacrifices for God and others, may it feel enough when they remain secret yet seen by our Lord. In our fasting and chosen abstinences, may our bodies be living sacrifices that display a joyful disposition despite inner discomforts.

May our performance be always oriented towards our teacher Jesus, who knows and loves us best.

May God grant us to wallow in his mercy, rather than in guilt (paraphrase of quotation by St. John Vianney).

Share this page

About the author

Profile photo for Claudia Rossetto

Claudia Rossetto (BCS, M.A., D.Min.) is originally from Bolivia where she managed the department of information technology at Food for the Hungry, a relief and development organization. She holds an M.A. from Regent College and a D.Min. from Carey Theological College. She is passionate about evangelism and missionary discipleship as Jesus’ good news for those affected by the lethal impact of social isolation in the world. She has been deeply shaped by her church community, Grandview Calvary Baptist Church in east Vancouver, which is aware of colonial memory, active in social justice, and aims to extend radical hospitality. Claudia served on staff at Missions Fest Vancouver, now known as Mission Central, in a variety of capacities over many years, and now works for Baptist Housing Ministries.

Church
Church
Grandview Calvary Baptist Church (Vancouver, BC)
Organization
Organization

More on Mission Central

Devotional

Love Your Enemies

If you have an enemy in your life, if someone hates you, consider how Jesus is asking you to go to them? Hearing and obeying requires embodied action. Read more Read more...

Article

George Patterson (1932–2022); A Daughter’s Testimony

The mission world has lost a giant upon whose shoulders many, many of us have been lifted to see better, go further than we could otherwise have done. Read more Read more...

Article

Introducing the Call to Consecration

As a Christian, what does it mean to live the surrendered life? Read more Read more...

Article

Considerations to Missionary Care

Missionary care extends beyond the individual and should take into consideration who the missionary is connected to and factor in the journey of life. Read more Read more...

Devotional

United in Prayer

Jesus would have said this often as it is at the very heart of the Israelite identity and prayer life. Read more Read more...

Article

Reflection on Mission Leadership

Leadership development involves learning from different stages and experiences of life, and is most important in missionary service. Read more Read more...

Article

Easter: Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Social Isolation

How do we break the cycle of social isolation? Read more Read more...

Devotional

But Seek First His Kingdom

Jesus says if we seek the kingdom first and are concerned with our right-standing with God, then we don’t have to worry about the rest of life. Read more Read more...