Do You Know Who's Watching?

September 24, 2007
1:17 p.m.

By: Joshuah Ellis

In many instances, we, as individual members of humanity, can be found exercising extremes in our lives more than we can be found in a perfect balance. It is the ''all or nothing'' mentality, and I think it certainly applies to how we think we are perceived. For the most part, I feel that we like to think that either everyone on the planet is watching us or that nobody whatsoever is. Let me offer an example. If we are playing sports or any game for that matter and we do something that is difficult to do, or something that is rather extraordinary, we immediately look all around us like we are acknowledging our attentive audience. However, when we walk of the bathroom and walk fifty feet with a piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of our shoe, we immediately tear it off and keep walking as if nothing happened, choosing to believe that nobody saw our moment of embarrassment. Though I am not sure that these examples are always accurate as far as who is watching us, I am confident in saying that there is always someone who is.

Consider the relationship between a parent and a child. It is almost inevitable that little boys aspire to be just like their dads. In the same manner, daughters look up to their mothers. What does this mean? It means that parents are a great influence on their children. As Christians this carries even more weight as it is the parents' responsibility to raise their children in the ''training and admonition of the Lord'' (Ephesians 6:4). This means that on Sunday afternoon when the kids see dad turn off the baseball game and mom put down her book so that they can get ready for evening services, they are showing their children what is important. On the other hand, when parents schedule activities at times when the church assembles, this teaches their children that spiritual matters are only important as long as nothing better comes up. That is not what Jesus taught (Mark 12:30). This certainly does not apply only to the public assembly but to other spiritual matters as well. Parents, your children will only know to put God first if that is what you are teaching them. Are you aware that your children are watching you?

The fact that we need to be mindful of those who are watching us does not only apply to parents and their children. Think of the people with whom you are in regular contact on a daily basis. Do you consider the fact that they might have questions of a spiritual nature and don't know who they can ask? Do you realize that when you leave your spirituality at the church building you could be squandering an opportunity to share the gospel? When you think about that, someone's opportunity to escape spiritual death might be right in front of you. When we are at work or school and among our peers, it is easy to think that what we do doesn't matter or that it wouldn't make a difference any way. This, however, is not the attitude that God wants us to have. If it were, He would not have commanded us, ''let your light so shine before men, that they may see your works and glorify your Father in heaven'' (Matthew 5:16). Are you aware of who is watching you at work/school?

Thankfully, when we come home and are no longer under the pressure of trying to be an example to others, we can relax as there is no longer anyone watching us, right? Wrong! Let us not forget that even in the darkest solitude, we are still seen by God. I have often heard the scenario which asks if a person comes to a red light in the middle of the night with no one around, is he OK to run the light? Granted, the authorities may never know of this infraction, but God knows that you broke the law. We may think that in the secret corners of our lives, our private sins are of no consequence, but let us make sure that we know that these sins will not remain private forever. Jesus, as he prepares His disciples for persecution, tells them ''there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known'' (Matthew 10:26). Are you aware of who’s watching you when you are alone?

I seriously doubt there are many instances when everyone is watching you, and there are probably fewer when nobody is watching you. However, know that there is always somebody who is. It could be a child who is looking specifically to you for spiritual guidance. It could be a coworker or class mate who is looking for truth. Regardless of that, God is always watching you, hoping you that you will follow the path He has designed for you (Matthew 7:14).

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