Poker Face

“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting.  Truly I say to you they have their reward in full.

But you when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done will reward you.”

Matthew 6:16-18

Jesus knows that when life gets difficult we spend more time praying and seeking God.  He also knows that sometimes our problems overtake us and we let everything slide.  

I think that Jesus tells us to put on our poker face so that that which we find so burdensome does not define us.  Our outward appearance speaks to our inward condition.  While it is true that for the most part we really do not look at each other, if one of us is a real mess we do notice. 

So, we pray and we believe God will take care of all our problems, and then we wash our face, comb our hair and put on a clean shirt and go about living and greeting others in the name of Christ.