I Saw One Of My Daughter's Magazines Yesterday ...

I saw one of my daughter’s magazines yesterday with some skinny, half starved super models on the cover who live in extravagance and must eat like those in a refugee camp, all because they want to be admired by people and paid enormous amounts of money. The fasting Jesus discourages is fasting like that. Fasting that draws people’s attention. He says “don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18 NLT)

Those super models don’t exactly look dishevelled and miserable, at least outwardly, but they do make a living on the admiration of people. Accordingly that’s the only reward they’ll get. It’s the only reward they really want. I can’t help feeling, however, that many people must find their appearance revoltingly unattractive. Extravagance on one hand with outfits worth thousands of dollars, and yet starving on the other.