In a Corner…Or Not

Acts 26:24-27:8

In addressing the King Agrippa, Paul uses an interesting turn of phrase to describe the events surrounding his own conversion to Christianity. “Indeed the king knows about these things,” says Paul, “and to him I speak freely; for I am certain that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26). Paul is telling the king about events that were not hidden or obscured, but which were out in the open.

The expression, “not done in a corner” is apt in some ways, but curious in others. There are times when Christians are challenged to be open in profession their faith. Those who believe are to avoid the darkness and to live in the light, are to live with boldness, making the good confession to any who would listen. This was Paul’s own practice, to speak in the synagogues and anywhere else he might find an audience. But there are other elements of the faith that almost seem to require corners. Jesus condemns those who sit in the seats of honor or who pray loudly in the temple or on street corners, who make much of their own practices. Jesus says that it is better to pray in private than to make a show of prayer. Luke’s telling of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple would seem to support a more personal practice of the faith. The one who was justified in that story was quiet and unobtrusive in his prayer.

So which is it? Should Christianity be practiced out in the open as was so often the case with Paul, or should it be a private matter confined to prayer closets, as Jesus seems to suggest on more than one occasion? Of course the answer is yes…yes to both. There are times when our faith will essentially require us to make a public profession of faith, to keep our lamps on the lamp stand so that everyone may see and rejoice. But there are other times when we must remain “in the corner” so as not to call attention to ourselves, leaving our left hand ignorant of what our right hand is doing. As with so much else in the Christian faith it becomes a matter of appropriateness. It is good when we can give glory to God so that the world may see, but there are also times when it is best to stay behind the scenes and to allow the lamplight to fall on others.

As Paul gave his defense before King Agrippa he called attention to the work of God through Jesus Christ. But Paul would also know that at times he himself needed to be alone, to pray, to mediate, to seek God’s guidance in his own life. It is a matter of balance and of spiritual maturity that we learn and develop over time. Sometimes we need to be out of the corner, but other times a corner is the very best place for us to be.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to discern the times when we should act boldly, and the times when we should remain withdrawn, so that in either case we may give you the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.