PDA (Public Displays of Affection)

You know, I don’t recall ever witnessing a Christian showing the cabdriver’s devotion outside of church or home. I’ve seen many preach the Gospel on the street, a form of devotion, but I’ve never seen anyone publicly worship like that Muslim man. It leaves me pause to think.

We will lower our heads and pray over a meal in a restaurant in a heartbeat. But, what is the impetus for this PDA? Are we doing it to impress onlookers with our holiness or to really show devotion to God? Or, do we do it to prevent food poisoning like a friend of mine?

Jesus informed His followers to not pray as hypocrites who pray standing in the church and on street corners to be seen by men (Matthew 6:5). He warned them to avoid self-aggrandizing and self-righteous displays of religiosity, which direct attention to the person praying as opposed to directing attention to God.

Jesus’ main concern was that our holiness and godliness be expressed in our behavior and treatment of others. Yet for all He said in that passage, He never discouraged genuine PDA. He never said leave the worship in church or at home. His point was simple: Worship to impress ME not men.

Though the cabdriver probably knew people would gawk at him, as I did, it is my belief that his motives were sincere, pure and focused. He genuinely wanted to please the god he prayed to on that street.

Twenty or so feet away from him was a park and I thought about sitting on a bench in quiet meditation one day. I could do that without drawing attention to myself. But what if…what if I got on my knees, bowed my head, and lifted my arms in praise?

God could handle the PDA, but could I?