How do I tell the world all of the awesome things I got to do today in 140 characters or less?
Maybe I should just make it a facebook post. Yes, that’s a grand idea. I have more friends on the Facebook than I have followers on the Twitter. I will tell everyone about leading seven people to the Lord this morning, rescuing the old lady and her thirteen cats from her burning apartment this afternoon, and the revival that’s currently going on in the state prison where I lead a Bible study every Tuesday night. I’ll end my bragging with “God is so good.”
But then again, I might miss out on all that treasure in heaven. God knows I scored bucket-loads today, but what will I do with it? Who cares? I should keep this to myself, so I can have a ton of booty there is up there and be better off than all the other saints or whatever.
But, maybe I should tell people about my Godly, awesome day. Perhaps it’ll inspire them to action and more humans will benefit because I shared my story of toil, prayer, bravery and selflessness. I’ll have my “reward” here, but if I’m sacrificing my heavenly treasure, does it make me even more selfless? Could I end up being poor in heaven because I “gave it all away” down here? Ooooh, that sounds cool, doesn’t it? I bet everybody up there would fawn all over me about something like that.
God didn’t make this easy, did He?
Maybe I’ll only tell the world about the seven people that gave their lives to God this morning. Then I still get to invest the old lady and her herd of felines and the prison revival into the “eternal account”. What’s more valuable? Seven salvations, or a geriatric and her pets? Maybe I’ll tweet about the fire, I think saved people are worth more. Ugh, how do I make this work for the best?
★ ★ ★
I’ve stopped caring about my reputation. Part of me is too selfish to give up that treasure in heaven, whatever it may be (I have an idea…) but then again, I also like the idea of having everybody think less of me than maybe they should. Let humans see the attitude and the occasionally rebellious or excessively independent human who happens to think I can hear God for myself.
At this point, I’m alright with it. I think it’s tons better than the humans who polish their appearances, who want to look like they’re better than they truly are. I believe these are the humans whose neighbors claim “were so nice, so quiet, incapable of any kind of monstrosity like this” when interviewed by local news after they freak out and set a dog pound or something on fire. Perhaps my approach is founded on some sort of false humility, or maybe, it’s just a lack of concern for my own public relations. Either way, I’m happy to say what you see isn’t any worse than what you get. Just ask God, He knows…
Or maybe, I’ve realized that none of it was about me in the first place so why worry about looking good?
With all the underlying Twitter and Facebook philosophy of “it’s all about me,” you provide a good reminder that “it’s never about me.” Good post, Jake.
Thanks Glynn, I caught myself thinking about my reputation the other day and just how I’ve presented myself to the world and had to be reminded of that!
“Let humans see the attitude and the occasionally rebellious or excessively independent human who happens to think I can hear God for myself.”
I get really annoyed when I see people who are constantly posting everything God did. It’s not that I don’t rejoice in God being good or moving mightily, it just seems it’s more about “look at me, look at me!” than it is about serving and sacrificing and following God in a way that your life shows God, not necessarily your words (or Tweets).
Another great post, Jake. I would rather see the real you than some polished turd parading around. And yes, I called the fake personae a polished turd.
Polished things aren’t as fun to talk about. I’ve spent more vacation time in ghettos than in resorts. Do you know which gave me better stories? Of course, the places with rust and rats, dust and homeless people are more fun to talk about than anything else. That might just be me though… regardless, I’m tired of people trying to apply public relations principles to their lives. It just makes them super fake.
Well now that you’ve tipped your hand, I guess I’ll have to “go downstairs” to see you when we get to heaven!
How’s that for humble?
Too funny! It really comes down to our heart’s doesn’t it? Only God knows for sure if our hearts are true. I find it a bit difficult sometimes to know my own heart.
I do know that like you, I don’t care much what people think.
When people see my long hair, especially at church, they’re freaked out! I can almost hear their mind’s questions, “He doesn’t look like a Christian”! I don’t bother to ask them what Jesus must have looked like being a carpenter and the disciples who were in majority sailors.
They don’t know I’ve donated my hair three or four times to Locks Of Love, the company in Florida that makes wigs for cancer kids. Oh wait, have I just forfeited some booty in heaven? Rats!
Or maybe God knows that the other side is I hate being a slave to a barber shop. Maybe I’ll get 50% return on investment?
Awesome post. You got me going….. Again…
Floyd, you make me smile. I think it’s fascinating when we look at our motivations, even as Jesus-people. God sees the heart behind the actions… He knows when we’re doing stuff not for his glory but for our own, that’s why He told us not to tell when we’re completely getting it right, because if everyone knew how great WE were… the glory gets messy from there. At least, I’m seeing it that way right now. I could be oversimplifying.
Awesome.
I do care what some people think, but that’s only a handful of folks. I think there a large contingent of people who spent way too much time trying to make people think highly of them and waste precious little time wondering what God thinks of them. Wretched.
Kat, you’re entirely right. I know I’m guilty of it, but I’ve definitely taken steps past it, not that I’m one hundred percent over the whole deal….ugh.
[…] thing I want to do is come across as self-important and you all know me, I’m vying for that reward in heaven , so perhaps I should stay quiet about my daily life. But there you go, there’s a snapshot […]