“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NASB)
Somebody is watching you! Yes, of course God is watching you. You know what we say, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” Thank God for His watchful eye. Thank Him because He knows what we need before we do. He knows when to send a timely note of encouragement that will keep us singing melodies of praise all day long, and thus we become capable and able of rising above the problems or any predicaments that we will have to overcome. Thank Him because He knows how to order our steps just before we are about to step out of bounds; out of what falls into the category righteous living. Thank Him! For He knows how to pump up our hope, inflate it with irrefutable truth and inject us with immoveable confidence that everything is going to be alright, come what may. Oh give God praise for watching us. Say, “Thank you Lord!”
Yet realize that “they” are watching you too as you start your week. “They” who? Your old self is watching carefully, looking for a way to resurface and possibly regain rigid control of you. The secular world is standing by, watching, ready to pounce on your thoughts to steer you in the wicked ways of the world. And yes, you know it, Satan has his sights on you, watching for the best time to strategically tempt you and take away the validity of your witness. “They” are watching you.
Now don’t stop reading! There is more to “’they’ are watching you” then meets the eye. Let me explain with a true story. I’m pushing my cart down Row E in the parking lot, the row where I always park so as not to forget where I park or embarrass myself going down multiple aisles pushing the car remote to make the horn blow. I need to point out that I have gotten somewhat used to people avoiding eye contact by any means they can. They look at their phone when the device has not rung or there is no message. They act as if they are looking for something in each of their multiple pockets or multi-compartments in their purses, just to avoid speaking. Granted, some are just operating under the principle instilled in them for their safety as a child, “Don’t speak to strangers.” I get that one, as well as if I’m dressed, really looking like a person to avoid. But on the day that I am going down the row towards my car, I was dressed in a black dress shirt, jeans, and a pair of brown Cole Haan wingtip dress shoes, gifted from my oldest son. Please know if you think I was not matching, I had a brown watch band and a brown belt. So don’t get sidetracked being critical like you know how we can be. Again, keep reading. I turned my head in the direction of many people, but the avoidance techniques were prevalent and prominent among almost all those people I passed by. I’m still walking to my car, parked about four rows past the last cart return station. I just assumed I would have no interaction after a while. I am approaching, two men engulfed in a seemingly enjoyable conversation. I just knew neither of them would notice me. Yet, just as I was ready to pass them, one of the men says, “I like your shoes.” The other man concurs, “Yeah, those are nice.” Even though my mask covered my mouth, I am sure they could tell from my raised eyebrows, lit up eyes, and the widening of my mask signaled that I was smiling as I said, “Thanks!”
The point is not about the shoes. The point is that “they” are watching you; other people are looking at you. And when “they” see you, “they” ought to see something worth complimenting you about. And listen, even if you wear the same clothes every day or if you are required to wear the same style of uniform in your profession; even if you don’t have on any name brand attire, “they” should be able to see something stand out in you. They should be able to see the Christ in you, so much so that “they” can’t help but notice that you did not hang up your Christianity along with your Sunday go-to-meeting clothes, not to be used until the next Sunday. They should see the Christ that dwells in you, starting at home and then everywhere you go. Remember that now, as you start your week. “They” are watching you. You don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary, just let your light shine by your presence, your personality, your priceless, precious good deeds, or your presentation via verbal and non-verbal communication. Have a good Monday and be you, the new creature you are. Be blessed!
“Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King