In the Spotlight

Athletes' lives are public, for good or bad.  From the time you started playing when you were little, people paid attention to you.  And now, there's an entire section of the Daily Campus devoted to sports.  There isn't one devoted to the happenings in the school of business or in Sprague Hall.

In what ways are you known for your sport?  What are the potential downsides of being known because of your sport?  What are some potential benefits?

Jesus had a lot to say about the public me versus the private me.

Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Much of what God says is in complete opposition to what we see in the world around us.  Think of an award you've received.  How did you get it?  Someone saw you do something, or was aware of your stats or your record of community service or of your GPA, and because it was worthy of the award, you were recognized publicly.

But here, Jesus seems to be talking about keeping some pretty important things "secret".  What is He actually saying?

In verses 1-4, Jesus is not instructing His listeners to give to the poor.  Jewish culture, based in Leviticus 19 and Deuteronomy 15:7-8, was a culture that understood giving to the poor.  Jesus says "when you give to the needy".  So this isn't a command to give.  Rather, Jesus is addressing the heart behind the giving.  A couple of weeks ago we talked about the idea of "it's all about me" - and how, really, it's NOT all about me.  Jesus here is addressing the idea of doing these good things for the purpose of receiving praise from men.  It's ok to desire praise from God, but seeking praise from men is exactly the opposite of what God intends for us.

Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 is a helpful reminder as we consider the public us from the private us.

1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain....
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Discussion

1. Think of a time when you received accolades for something - an award, or some praise from someone for something you did.  What did it feel like?  

2. In what way can such accolades or praises fuel our pride?

3. Is there something - anything - healthy about being "praised by others"?  

4. How can we let our light shine before men so they see our good works (Matt 5:16) and thus glorify God in heaven, yet make sure that we aren't seeking praise from people?

5. How can you balance the public elements of your life and faith as an athlete with Jesus' encouragement to serve Him "in secret"?

6. Remember 1 Samuel 16:7 - "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." How can we make sure we are paying attention to our own hearts?