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01

August, 2012

A Secret Life

Town Lake in Austin- I think Jesus lives here……

Cooper, my four year old Rwandan wild man, just learned an important word this last week: privacy. He’ll be in the bathroom and yell, “ I need privacy!” Then he runs out and all through the house naked. I don’t think he’s actually learned the principle- just the word.

This morning I was reading the Sermon on the Mount…Jesus says the most radical, backwards, ridiculously difficult things in these few pages of scripture. One theme was especially pounding me this morning… beating off the page almost as if Jesus threw it in 2000 years ago just to mess with our generation.

Be godly in secret.
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.

Pray in secret.
…when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.

Give in secret.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Fast in secret.
…that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.

A lot of our lives are over- exposed these days: blogs and tweets and facebook and face time and it’s just gone a few steps further for me- I am writing my life and it’s on sale everywhere. In so many ways it is beautiful to connect and use these mediums to reach the world and yet we are supposed to have this whole secret life… this life with God that no one knows about.

And I’m craving it. Exposure is not filling us up- this is no secret.

Be alone…Build a space that you crave. Find a coffee shop you love. Find a place to walk. Build a playlist of worship songs.

Have secrets… secrets of godliness and holiness that not even your spouse or best friend know about.

Turn off the world… Anti-Social app is my new favorite invention. Turn off your phone. Turn off your phone.

I fear we all are running naked all over the place and have lost the beauty and art of a secret life with God.

Fight for privacy with Him.

How do these teachings fit into our new culture?

22 Responses to A Secret Life

cherith says: August 1, 2012 at 4:05 pm

Thank you! So what my heart is working through right now! Sometimes, it seems like we are “showing” our spiritual lives…much more than “being”! God seems so much more intimate when we are just “being”!

Desie Poston says: August 1, 2012 at 4:11 pm

I sit on my sofa with my lap top on reading all my Christian friends post, praying for who needs it, read my devotional and what verse applies for that day and then pray what I need to as the day unfolds. Oh with three dogs sitting on top of me like they have not seen me in 100 yrs. I probably could work on this quiet time more. Oh the tv is on with either JPrince, Joyce or one of my favs while I am doing all this. Ummm need to probably change this.

Ronel says: August 1, 2012 at 4:13 pm

I recently deleted my twitter & facebook apps off my phone so I could find this private time with God. I have also not been blogging as much yet I wasn’t able to find words to share what I was feeling… I just need Father more than connecting. I agree social media is great but I feel like we have to set boundaries of we will find ourselves more consumed with other and less consumed with our relationship with God. Thank you for this post!!

Amy Hunt says: August 1, 2012 at 7:29 pm

I started writing in my journal again. Just the other day. And it’s really so different than my worship coming out in my public writing. It connects me with my own heart. And I so get what you’re saying.

Joy Eggerichs says: August 1, 2012 at 8:08 pm

Amen!! So much nakedness.

Jennie says: August 2, 2012 at 3:37 am

Of course that would be the image that jumped out to you! haha!

Angela says: August 1, 2012 at 8:50 pm

I agree! I’m struggling with this myself. I want to reach other women for our Lord, yet I struggle with balance. This is something that has been on my heart for awhile now. Struggling with desiring to be a light in our dark world, yet wearing blinders to all that is involved in this online world…..and knowing how to balance my ministry and my family…..all for God’s glory.

Jennie says: August 2, 2012 at 3:37 am

I think we all will just fight to keep a tension here. So good to meet more and more women fighting for the same tension.

Women Living Well says: August 1, 2012 at 9:39 pm

This is SO spot on! Thank you Jennie. I see that my BFF Angela (who is also a blogger) was already here today and commented – I so respect her in this area – she does much better than me.
I needed to be reminded of this – thank you!!!
Keep writing!
Courtney

Jennie says: August 2, 2012 at 3:36 am

Thank you friend!

Aleem says: August 1, 2012 at 11:02 pm

Love the imagery! My 9 year old son still runs through the house naked (with less frequency than he used to). Occasionally he dons a cape and likes to call himself ‘super naked’… Boys…

Moving on, great post!

Psalm 91:1 – Whoever dwells in the shelter (secret places) of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighy. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress…”
“Naked” can be a beautiful and joyful thing.
Influence is important. We are called to influence and shine our light.
But we also need and should deeply desire to dwell in the secret places.
And in an over-exposed world… this is a balance we don’t often get right.
Timely words.

Jennie says: August 2, 2012 at 3:36 am

I will not teach Cooper “super naked” I have a feeling he would like that alot better than privacy!

Rhonda says: August 2, 2012 at 3:30 am

I saw a quote somewhere …”…and they will know we are Christians by our T-shirts.”.

Jennie says: August 2, 2012 at 3:35 am

That is awesome and sad. haha

Lisa Curtis says: August 2, 2012 at 1:19 pm

I am a new reader to your blog and must admit had never heard of you till a specific blog mentioned your Bible Study, Stuck. God is not a God of coincidences and I am positive He sent me to you at the perfect time. I have a deep inner struggle with social media. Gladly, so do alot of others. I privately told myself I was the only one with no self control. Whew. God has now several days in a row told me specifically to spend more private and “still” time with Him. Get rid of outside distractions and “listen”. I have also, for the first time, been asked to lead a Bible Study at my home church. What do they see in me? I feel so disconnected with God. I am being led to lead your study, Stuck. I applaud you for your honesty and sincere application to His Word to us today. May God continue to bless your efforts and please accept my apology for such rambling. Obviously, my heart is restless.
Lisa

Jennie says: August 2, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Girl- I feel your pain! Be brave- we are all broken messed up inadequate leaders…. some just pretend they are ok. Embrace your fear!
Praying the restlessness would lead you deeper with God.

Jennifer Keller says: August 2, 2012 at 3:29 pm

Beautiful thoughts Jennie – I feel where you are coming from and feel these same needs to quite and privacy at times. Thanks for sharing.

Sally says: August 3, 2012 at 3:46 pm

I love this post! Thanks so much Jennie! Such a good reminder. I have been finding this to be true recently as the more “secret” time I have with the Lord, the more intimacy I feel with Him. But I guess that is how it is in our relationships on earth as well. The moments that draw you closer with your friends, or children, or spouse, are the private ones when you are alone building intimacy with just them, bonding truly and deeply. Thanks for the encouragement this morning!

Katie says: August 4, 2012 at 2:56 pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Jen Hatmaker’s mention of you led me to your blog, and then I ordered your Bible study, and also your book Anything, and like one of the above posters said, I know this was a divine intervention for a divinely appointed time! This is hitting me right where God knew I was.

I read this verse this morning: “So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8 MSG

So many of us have been sleepwalking. It’s time to wake up. Thank you for shaking things up, for stepping out in obedience. I just want you to know God is using you so mightily and I am so thankful for what He’s doing in you, in Jen Hatmaker, and so many other courageous women – b/c it’s trickling down into the lives of others!

Kim B. says: August 4, 2012 at 10:46 pm

I TOTALLY agree Jennie! I actually have to have my quiet time in my backyard in order to resist the urges of doing housework, laundry, answering the phone, etc etc When I’m on my lounger outside it’s just me & God…..& the birds which I LOVE

kat says: August 7, 2012 at 2:28 am

i just completed your STUCK study with NC in FW. Found your blog and am hooked. Not a typical blog reader type. But this hits home for me. thank you for putting your life on the press for us. i hope we can all learn a bit about being more private for HIM. why do little boys love to run around naked?? ha ha!

Jennie says: August 7, 2012 at 2:30 am

Indeed- that could be a book title- I am sure of it.

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