Standard of Living

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Today we had some new blinds installed in our house. The very first thing that the installer did was to hold a spirit level around the architraves of each window. Most of the windows were fine, but one was significantly out of square and the blind needed some adjustment to fit the space.

We don’t think about it often but standards are involved in everything we do. In fact they make the modern world possible.
Imagine if the manufacturers of phones each had their own frequency and the network operators had their own ideas. Everybody in Australia would be forced to use the same phone, which would be less convenient than having a choice of products all following the same standards and protocols.
If oil companies were able to deliver any old fuel to the service station, we wouldn’t know for sure that our model of car was compatible with the fuel. Our cars would not function correctly and might even be severely damaged.
Even in agriculture, one of the oldest and more stable industries, grain and other products have to meet a certain standard or the price paid by customers is greatly reduced.
When it comes to the way we live, we think there shouldn’t be any standards. We feel we should be free to do exactly what we want when we want. We don’t want anybody setting standards for us.
Just like the phone manufacturers have to agree with the networks about standards in order to make our phones work well, our mindsets and relationships need standards that allow us to run our lives effectively.
The creator of all things has provided us with a book that doesn’t just set the standards, but gives us illustrations of how things go wrong when we ignore the standards.
We are living in an age where we are pretty much free to live our lives how we see fit. We set our own rules. We are also living in a time of unprecedented levels of relationship breakdowns, anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.
This might be a good time to check out what the Bible says about our lifestyle choices, and bring that spirit level to see if we can make better choices.

Reflection on Matthew 6:9-18

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Scripture

“When you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and dishevelled so that people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.”

Observation

Jesus gives us the words of the Lord’s Prayer.

Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Give us the things we really need day by day and forgive us as we forgive others.

If we refuse to forgive other people, our Father will not forgive us.

When we fast, we must not make it obvious. If people praise us for fasting then we will receive nothing from the Father. Our fasting must be to the Lord alone, and He will reward us.

Application

It is hard to imagine a society which values outward piety in the way described by Jesus. If you tell someone you’re fasting, you will have to launch into a long explanation of what fasting is and the spiritual benefits of abstaining from food.

This is an example of what we now call “virtue signalling.” We put Ukraine flags on social media and claim that we stand with some group or other.

Usually virtue signalling carries no cost. It is done to gain the approval of friends and acquaintances.

Real virtue is when we go and volunteer at the homeless people’s shelter or we give sacrificially to a charity. Jesus would warn us not to post about this on Facebook.

We live in a performative society. That is, we are judged by our performance on the social stage. Jesus encourages us to get off the stage and focus on being authentic with Him alone.

Prayer

Lord, you call us to seek approval in you alone. Please rescue me from the trap of people pleasing. Amen.