I remember an advertising slogan by Vidal Sassoon that said, “If you don’t look good, we don’t look good” (actually my friend Jill helped me remember who said it). Aren’t we a culture that is obsessed with looking good? Everywhere we turn, we see opportunities to make ourselves look good by improving our image, style and personality. We want people to think we’ve got it together and have the world by the tail. Self-promotion is at the very root of American culture. Do you remember when you first learned to put a resume together? Or interview for a job? The goal was to present yourself in a manner that makes you the preferred candidate. Let me be clear, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to present yourself well. How we look, act and talk give people a perspective of who we are and how we live. But we can become so engrossed with how we look that a good intention turns into narcissism.
Sam Storms, founder of Enjoying God Ministries, does a great job of putting this paradigm into perspective this way: “When people see you, does God look good?” Below are a few questions from his article so titled.
When you pray, do people comment on your eloquence or God’s excellency?
When you intercede in a corporate gathering, are those present impressed with your godliness or God’s goodness?
When people see how I spend money, do they conclude that God is a priceless treasure, exceedingly valuable above all worldly goods?
When people observe my relationship with others, are they alerted to the power of Christ’s forgiveness of me that alone accounts for my forgiveness of them?
When we open our mouths and speak of others in public (or private), are they made to think of Jesus in whose mouth no “deceit” was found (1 Peter 2:22), the one who, when reviled, “did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23)?
If I am complimented for some accomplishment, does the way I receive it drive onlookers to give thanks to the Lord?
Is my use of leisure time or devotion to a hobby or how I speak of my wife the sort that persuades others that my heart is content with what God is for me in Christ?
Does my reaction to bad news produce in you doubt or fear, or does it inspire confidence to trust in God’s providence?
When I feel disappointment or experience a shattered dream, is your trust in his promises diminished or enhanced?
Does my reaction to suffering inspire your comfort in him?
These are piercing questions. I encourage you to read Pastor Storms entire article, “When People See You, Does God Look Good?”. The Apostle Paul gives us some insight in how God is made to look good through our lives.
12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17And 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 3:12-17 ESV)
So let’s go make God look good today!
Peace!
