Throughout our lives we absorb stories about God, about ourselves, and about the world. Lent invites us to gently lay some of these stories down. In each post in this Lenten series, Pastor Nate will name one belief that may no longer be serving our faith and explore how Christ reshapes it.

One of the quiet habits we may need to unlearn is the temptation to perform our faith.

Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 6. He warns his followers not to practice their righteousness “before others in order to be seen by them.” He talks about giving, praying, and fasting, which are all good and faithful practices, but Jesus reminds us how easily these disciplines can become something else. 

Throughout his ministry, Jesus was critical of performative religious practice.  The Pharisees were ones who instead on rules and practicing faith “the right way”, but Jesus constantly challenged them and instead on mercy and compassion rather than public displays of piety. 

If we aren’t careful, faith can slowly shift from relationship to reputation. We begin to wonder how our words will sound, how our actions will be perceived, whether we are appearing faithful enough in the eyes of others. Even good things can become a kind of spiritual performance.

But the heart of faith has never been about appearance because our standing before God does not depend on how convincing our faith looks to others.

Lent gently invites us back to something simpler and quieter.

A prayer whispered when no one else hears it.
An act of kindness no one notices.
A moment of trust known only to God.

Reflection question:
Where might your faith be shaped more by perception than by quiet trust in God?