Secret Righteousness

My favorite sermon so far in Lloyd-Jones’ Spiritual Depression focuses on Jesus’ parable at the start of Matthew 20. It’s about the vineyard workers, hired at different times of the day, yet all paid the same amount.

Lloyd-Jones makes two basic points: first, the workers mentioned first bargain with God for a denarius. “If you strike a bargain with God,” Lloyd-Jones warns, “well then it is almost certain that you will get your bargain and no more.”

Second, they want recognition; they point out that they’ve worked “in the heat of the day.” Better to let God keep the books — he who sees in secret and rewards in secret. Lloyd-Jones goes on, “May I say with reverence, there is nothing I know of that is so romantic as God’s method of accountancy. Be prepared for surprises in this Kingdom. You never know what is going to happen.”

It reminded me of this poem I wrote several years ago. It’s called “The Art of Secret Righteousness.”

How incredible that no one notices
the monumental moments in my heart.
They are always invisible –
even those closest to me, who feel the effects the most,
don’t hear the drum roll when they occur.
No angels float down to tap someone’s shoulder
and whisper, “Look at her.”

And yet –
how much more incredible that You, God of the Universe,
always take heed.
In the darkest recesses of my inner life, You alone observe
when I really get it right.
You, Father, who see in secret and reward in secret, whisper,
“Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing” –
“Well done, good and faithful servant” –
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for I will show you My face.”

Let my life add up to a thousand and one private choices
to love You with all my being,
to turn the current of my mind,
to honor my brother in thought and love my sister in prayer –
a thousand and one anonymous acts of kindness
that no one ever sees but You –

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
I can well imagine what it will be like
to catch Your eye across the crowded room of Heaven
and have You hold my gaze –
to look into those eyes that have seen and applauded
a thousand and one acts of secret righteousness –
a whole rich history exchanged in a single glance.

My life’s ambition is to treasure up
a thousand and one secrets with You.

— © Janet Goodrich