It’s What’s Inside That Counts

I got so distracted with the excitement of arranging the new spring tablescape items that I picked up on clearance at Kirkland’s that I completely negated to recall the fact that I put bacon in the oven for the chicken stir-fry until I caught the waft of burn coming from the kitchen. I didn’t set a timer. Which isn’t shocking because I can probably count on both hands the times I’ve actually remembered to set one. A reflection of my at times disastrous culinary aptitude.

Portions of the bacon were salvaged that were less charred than others, if you can believe that after seeing this picture, and crumbled for the stir-fry. I warned my family to chew carefully. The warning was only necessary due to the fact that I taste tested it. It was pretty high on the break-a-tooth crunch factor…

The outside appearance of the table became my focus, and I lost the importance of what was actually inside the oven.

I’ve been meditating on and revisiting a passage of Scripture from Matthew.

Matthew 23:24-28, “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (NIV)

By appearances, everything was in its place. The outside appeared righteous like the centerpiece was straight and chargers aligned on the table. But the heart was unclean and ruled by everything unclean (v.27) like the bacon in the oven was borderline inedible on account of the neglected timer.

It’s what’s inside that counts.

So what’s ruling me? This is tough personally. I could easily be part of the audience on the receiving end of the talking-to Jesus lays out in this passage. I crave honesty and authenticity even if it’s messy. Because at any given moment, I’m messy. Humanity is messy. But that craving can be overruled by ‘keeping up appearances’. There are times, maybe even a natural bend in transparency, that I pander to the facade of making sure the outside looks righteous, but the inside of my cup desperately needs the cleansing, sanctifying, restoring work of Jesus to help me see and react with His way above my flesh.

Gracious Lord, help me to seek You above all things and focus on the inside. Father, cleanse my cup. May my concern be with Your approval and my focus be on living for You. Amen

My aunt gave me this pitcher a few years ago, and it gave me pause today. The leaves look like palm leaves, and the little snail reminded me to just slow down as we enter Holy Week. Selah.