16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.REFLECTIONSWritten by Trung NguyenJesus focuses on fasting here, and he gives us a two-step recipe: first, what not to do and why, and then what we should do and why. Jesus starts by saying not to be like the hypocrites who disfigure their faces when fasting. It’s hypocritical because fasting is essentially saying that the things of this world hinder me from being satisfied in God, and I want God to be number 1. So it doesn’t make sense when we do things such as fasting so other people can see how good or holy we are, because then we’re putting people’s praise as our number 1. For you, the issue might not be fasting, but can you think of a time when you’ve secretly served the god of man’s praise (or even personal praise) instead of God himself? Step two of Jesus’ recipe tells those who fast to put in effort to make sure that the effects of their fasting aren’t seen by other people and are only for God to see. This is right and good because when we cry out to God asking him to be everything, then it’s God and only God who should be able to see it. I am challenged by Jesus’ words here. Although I haven’t intentionally fasted before, it made me reflect on why and how I serve God. Am I doing it for God, or so that others can see me? It’s a deep reflective question that I encourage you to think through, and if I were completely honest with myself, I’d say I have both motivations in there.  What about you? Pray that God would be our audience of 1, and that everything else in this world would be seen as garbage in comparison.ABOUT THE AUTHORTrung is married to his beautiful wife Tramanh and has two amazing dogs Zoey and Apollo. Trung is an extrovert who has thoroughly enjoyed weekly grocery shopping as this was his only reasonable excuse to be outside and recharge for the week.