Who's watching?

As the light turned yellow, I stepped on the accelerator and sped through the intersection. My daughter, traveling with me, said, "Dad you will need to be careful driving in the town of Wayne. They have just installed cameras at intersections to catch people, like you, speeding through red lights."

As we discussed this further, it was interesting to note that my daughter and I believed that my behavior would change, knowing that I was being watched. I was humbled, however, by this realization because my unseen behavior is that which truly reveals the nature of my heart and my character. Most people will make right choices when they know that others are watching, but the real test is found in one's behavior in private.

But are we ever really alone? Temporary bouts of spiritual amnesia plague me as I momentarily forget the constant presence of my Lord. I am saddened by the recognition that I am often more aware of the watchful eyes of other people than I am of my Heavenly Father's loving gaze. I tend to gage my behavior in light of others' opinion of it, rather than assessing it in light of God's perspective.

But God is always watching. David recognized this when he said,

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord."                      (Psalm 139:1-4 NIV)

God knows every move that we make, and he longs for us to follow him in obedience, holding his option in highest regard.

I used to sing a song to my children, instructing them in these truths. It went:

O, be careful little eyes what you see,
O, be careful little eyes what you see,
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So, be careful little eyes what you see.

Children aren't the only ones that need this reminder. It would be to our benefit if we hummed this song throughout the week to maintain an acute awareness of God's gracious presence with us at every moment of the day. As we do so, we will begin to shape our behavior in light of His gaze, rather than that of the traffic camera. One may affect our pocketbook, the other our eternity!

Sharing the journey with you,