Little Things in Secret: Following Christ for Exhausted People

God Running is a place for anyone who wants to love Jesus more deeply, follow Jesus more closely, and love people the way Jesus wants us to.

Our Lord made me understand that the only true glory is that which lasts forever; and that, to attain it, there is no need to do brilliant deeds but rather to hide from the eyes of others, and even from oneself, so that “the left hand does not know what the right hand does.”

–St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Living in our current culture is interesting. Some people on social media will say or do almost anything to attract followers to themselves. But even in our lives away from the internet, some of us can do that sometimes. If we’re not careful, we can give in a way that attracts people to ourselves. We might think: “If I help him move, he’ll think I’m a good guy.” Or, “If I pick up the check, he’ll think I’m generous.” Or, “If I make a great dessert, they’ll think I’m a great cook.” Giving with those types of motivations is a trap.

When Jesus did good works, he did them in a way that inspired people to give glory to God. He did his good works in a way that attracted people to God. He did his good works in a way that inspired people to follow God.

In Matthew 6, Jesus told us:

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

Jesus said it’s even good to pray in secret.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)

St. Thérèse of Lisieux knew a secret.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux knew that doing little things in love pleases God.

And…

St. Thérèse of Lisieux knew that doing those little things in secret pleases God all the more.