It’s (Not) All About the Optics
“For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” - Hosea 6:6
Something I hear a lot in the workplace is how everything is about the optics. Whether it’s wise to take PTO or not, asking for a promotion or raise, or even in our professional email speak compared to how we might casually address someone. Even as we get older and build tougher skin to judgment, we still find ourselves wondering what others think of us. If not the general public, we worry about those closest to us, or even our own self-judgment on our appearance and actions.
I’ve been finding that I’ve been overly scrutinizing many of my decisions lately, big and small, worrying about the consequences and the “optics” of my own actions. I will mull over back and forth about a purchase I made (even after it’s done) or about how I decorate a part of my home in preparation for guests. At the moment, it feels like the choices I make will define who I am or change my life, whereas in reality, it is merely a blip in God’s grander plan for me. He could probably care less about where I put my plants or whether I bought something on sale.
What does God think about this? God would worry more about how we might let these thoughts distress us or take over valuable time with loved ones or Him. He does not play the “optics” game with us, where we would have to tiptoe around Him to get in His good graces. His Grace comes by default, offered freely and willingly. God just wants us to love Him, to seek Him out in all things. God wants us to journey with Him, especially during this Lenten season, deepening our relationship with Him.
As tiring as it is to worry about the optics of our choices day-to-day or how we appear to our colleagues, community, or selves, we can find solace in God. We do not need to put on airs or anything. We simply need to be us, no matter how tired, happy, sad, angry, or anything in between we may be. Simply come with a heart of love open to God. He will take care of the rest.
How have you recently experienced the struggles of how you present yourself to others? Take those worries and fears and offer them to God. Let us ask God for the grace to come as we are and love Him more fully.
Kevin Nguyen