Variance #5 or how presidential debates are like dog shows

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others

When you give to the needy do not announce it with trumpets

When you pray do not be like the hypocrites who do it to be seen by others

When you fast do not disfigure your face to show others you are fasting (Matthew 6:1,2,5,16).

Presidential debates are comical. They begin so dignified, and it only takes about five minutes to feel exactly like high school. I didn't watch much of last night's debate, but I caught enough of it to see that Mitt Romney thinks Rick Perry needs to read his book. Meanwhile in a twist of stunning irony, Perry actually thinks that Romney needs to read his book...captivating. I'm pretty sure Gary Johnson has been saving his "neighbor's dog" joke for probably at least three years. 

Well played former Governor Johnson.Well played.

I actually love the concept of the presidential debate. I just wish the candidates actually had to answer the questions. Instead we're given a couple hours of something akin to the Westminster Dog Show...everyone trots around saying "look at me, look at me" and we just wait for one of the dogs to do something woefully uncouth. 

The truth is we all like to be seen, but few of us really want to be known. This is just as true in the "Pastors Breed" category as it is in the Republican party. We live in a culture of snap judgments and shallow relationships, where first impressions often become only impressions. Image is everything, thus we all wrestle regularly with the image the mirror returns to us. You may not think this is an issue with pastors but it is, especially when deciding to go with the "Rob Bell glasses," or "Rick Warren goatee" or perhaps the dangerous combination of the two. Decisions, decisions.

This is a such a fine line it's often difficult to decipher where it is drawn. For example, I want you to read my blog. I hope it is encouraging to you. I hope it inspires. Beneath those hopes do others exist? The hope of being seen? The hope of recognition? The hope of applause? 

I'm quite certain they are there too. 

Truly knowing someone beyond the superficial is deep and dangerous water. Being truly known by others beyond the cosmetics is deeper still. This is the water Jesus calls us to. Curtains pulled, masks removed, Jesus call us to know every chapter of each other's stories instead of categorizing by covers. This is our invitation to life in God's kingdom. A place where God sees us as we really are, and filled with love, He calls us His sons and daughters. Jesus knew that if we went through our lives without really knowing anyone and without allowing ourselves to be known in the process...well, we'd be incredibly insecure, lonely, downright miserable people. 

Dog shows and debates reveal just enough to not really know anything about the participants. The truth of the matter is that in either case we'd know a lot more about our decision if we had to take one of those things home. 

One of the great promises of the sermon on the mount is that the Heavenly Father sees what is done in secret, and loves us still.