DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
WHAT’S IN THE CLOSET? | Day 36 of 40 (LENT)
photo (source)
Closets are telling.
Who we really are can probably be ascertained by one peek in our closet: our style, personality, priorities, favorite colors, cleanliness.
If our closets could speak, what would they say?
Closets also represent our secrets. And after reading today’s passage, it is evident that we’ve been keeping secrets for a long time, at least 2,000 years.
This is Holy Week. We’re still in John 12.
Check out the BIG SECRET in this closet.
Day 36:
Look below or CLICK: JOHN 12: 42-46
Background: JOHN 12: 37-50
42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him [Jesus]. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
PREVIOUSLY…
Yesterday, John 12:1-11 reveals Mary, the sister of Lazarus, busting open expensive perfume on Jesus, anointing and worshiping Him, and washing His feet with her hair (Dinner, Expensive Perfume, Murder Plots). John 12:12-19 continues with Jesus’ triumphal, kingly entry into Jerusalem on a borrowed colt (Move Over, Hollywood Hills. It’s Our Turn). Next, in John 12:20-36, God speaks from heaven and affirms Jesus before the throngs again, very much like He did when Jesus was baptized. Some people think God’s voice is simply thunder. Others think an angel is speaking. People hear all kinds of things when God speaks, right?
THE BIG SECRET
Even after Jesus has performed many miracles, the scripture says that many of the Jews still refuse to believe that He is the Messiah, in order to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy about their eyes being blind and hearts hardened.
But, then, we see that MANY of the Jewish religious leaders DO believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but they keep their faith in the closet. That’s right! They keep it hush-hush, on the down low. This is like Atlantic Starr Secret Lovers circa 1985. Or stealth mission Black Ops. Nobody’s saying nothing.
Why?
When we place our faith in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah), shouldn’t we want to shout it from the mountaintop? Shouldn’t we want to put on our faith and parade it down the runway for everyone to oooohhhh and ahhhhh?
Apparently not. Apparently, some times, our faith is overthrown by our fear and a need for acceptance from man.
FEAR & ACCEPTANCE
Fear and acceptance are 2 of the most powerful motivators of all time. The Jewish leaders keep their faith in Jesus in the closet because:
1) they are afraid of being put out the synagogue, and
2) they love human praise more than God’s praise.
Before we judge them, can’t we say the same thing about our own lives?
When are we most likely to not reveal our faith in Christ?
1) when we are afraid of losing something dear, and
2) when we desire acceptance by man more than God.
To be kicked out the synagogue is the worst of the worst, especially if you are a leader. You lose everything: status, influence, livelihood.
Are we ready to give up our livelihood for Jesus? Anybody ready to lose everything?
Isn’t people-pleasing so much easier? I’m not saying it’s right, but isn’t it easier to not ruffle the feathers or stir up the waters?
Can I be candid? When I try to people please, and I really do try sometimes, it just doesn’t work out right. Recently, after a big audition for a top-rated network show, the Lord, by His Spirit, impressed upon my heart a question. He said, “Do you love [celebrity producer] more than you want a job on her show? If I asked you to speak truth, would you love her enough to be honest, or would you care too much about trying to land that role on her show?”
In other words, “Naima, do you love the praise of man more than the praise of God?”
Inevitably, the Lord puts me in situations where I have to choose. Does this happen to you? Please tell me you can relate. He’ll allow me to run right into a big ol’ test where I have to choose between loving His praise or loving man’s praise. He wants to know where my allegiance is. What about you?
April 15th is speeding towards us. Is everything legit on your taxes?
You’re married and traveling. Is everything pure up in your hotel room?
You’re single and fab. Is everything on the up and up in your relationships?
We’re artists in Hollywood and believe in Christ. Would anyone know it if we didn’t have crosses around our necks? Can anyone tell by our actions? Do we openly acknowledge our faith? Or are we doing just like the religious leaders and keeping our faith in the closet?
What’s in our closet?
Is faith in there?
Somewhere?
Please excuse my grammatical departure, but “our faith ain’t helping nobody locked up in the closet”.
If faith is in the closet, let’s open the door and let it out!
Shake off the moth balls. Air it out. Take it to the cleaners. Whatever we need to do to get it in working order again.
Jesus says He came into the world as light so that nobody who believes in Him should stay in darkness.
What’s with all the secrets?
We should be able to stand on the top of Mt. Lee by the HOLLYWOOD sign and have all our dirty laundry aired out so that only the light remains.
Let’s make a decision to open up the closets today, acknowledge our faith in Jesus as the Christ, and love the praise of God more than the praise of man.
Whew, this one’s a little challenging today, isn’t it?
Anybody else feel exposed?
Geez, I’m exhausted,
Naima
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DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.