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

The DNA of Multiplication

Groups multiplied in the villages to 3,353 believers... less than 7 years after we had begun. Read more Read more...

Article

Keep Calm: It's Ordinary (Time) Rush

Discipleship is challenging in Western urban societies where relationships tend to be cordial, but distant and weak. Read more Read more...

Article

Advocacy alongside Ex-Offenders

"This was my induction into a whole new world that has broken my heart and become the heartbeat of what we now do..." Read more Read more...

Article

Don’t Wait! Three Tips To Help You Make Disciples

This article addresses the common fears and excuses for being a disciple maker. Read more Read more...

Devotional

Altar Vision Devotional - Week 9

Surrender, no matter what! Read more Read more...

Article

What is our purpose and how does that connect with mission?

What does purpose and mission as believers have in common? Read more Read more...

Article

5 ways to pray together as a family

Prayer is one of the best ways to help your family thrive and to see each other grow in relationship with God together Read more Read more...