In this world we almost never take notice of truly pious people. They certainly never call attention to themselves. For the truly pious person, there is no pushing and shoving to get to the head of the line. There is no waving your hand wildly nor pleading with piteous eyes, desperate to be noticed. There is a quietness of the heart. There is conviction in the soul. There is wisdom of the mind. There is confident though quiet strength. So, you do not look to Pharisees to mentor you with their piousity. Instead, you look to unprecedented Jesus, powerfully, though uniquely humble Jesus. You look to Him because He comes Incarnate God to be born in a stable, to grow up a country boy in Nazareth, to do his teaching on long dusty roads, by the shores of an unremarkable sea, to do His healing unobtrusively, to forgive unequivocally, to die ignominiously, and rise from the dead victoriously yet somehow quietly. Jesus at Your side, walk like He walks, straight to the person in need; then in love kneel down and touch the person, freely giving as you have been given, from your whole heart, soul mind and strength for the glory of God. It matters not to you whether the world notices or not. It matters infinitely more whether the world somehow discovers God’s glory shining through you and your life.

You Never Notice Pious People

You never notice pious people
until they have passed on by
and you look and see a bit
of light lingering still.

It is as if a candle bright somehow
blessed you so with light, even
as it passed on by, it’s bit
of glory inspiring you.

When they are with you there is more
than light, but joy and peace
and love, glorifying God
Himself who reigns above.

You may not recall their gentle smile
nor even how they spoke—
but they remind you of their
Father and His perfect love.

M.S.
September 3, 2020

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17