My son, give your heart to me, and let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26, TLV
Get the Feeling You’re Being Watched? Have you ever felt like you were being watched? Not in a creepy way, but that people were observing your behavior? Your life? Your testimony? It’s one thing to live our life as authentically as we can, it’s another thing to know others are evaluating our behavior as it affects their own lives.
What do I mean by this? There are souls all around us watching us, some that we impact with our actions and/or words. Our family, of course, but what about waiters? Check-out clerks? Maintenance workers? Someone in the car next to us — or behind us?
A memorable moment . . .
One memorable moment for me was while in Jerusalem’s Arab Quarter. An Arab restaurant owner had misinterpreted something one of our tour members had done.
As my friends walked away, this man began ranting in Arabic and then in English — probably for my benefit. Essentially, he said that because of his assumed offense, there would never be peace between Jews and Arabs. He was upset but had completely misinterpreted what had happened.
How do you respond to that? For a split second, I wondered if I
should leave and follow my group — leave behind that tense situation. But then GOD gave me an unexpected boldness. As calmly and with as much compassion as I could, I explained what my friends had actually done. Truly they had meant no harm. I ended by saying, “There will be peace because GOD wants peace.”
The gentleman stared at me. He nodded and calmed down enough to give a small smile. To seal the moment, I ordered a fruit smoothie — which was delicious — and turned to leave.
As I exited, sitting at a table against the wall, was a man eating. I hadn’t noticed him before. He looked at me, smiled, and gave a thumbs up. Here I had thought the restaurant owner and I were the only ones present, but there was a witness to the encounter.
So, you see, people do watch us — sometimes without our knowing. Whether it’s people we know or strangers, our behaviors can speak volumes. They can say we follow GOD, or our own interests. It’s our choice in each of life’s encounters.
Next time we . . .
Next time we’re rushed for time and our server is a bit slow, or mixes up the order, or both, how will we behave? With compassion and grace, or be annoyed and impatient? The maintenance worker who normally empties our trash regularly, but forgets, do we forgive or report them? Seemingly little things can change another soul’s life.
There’s an Observer who sees us every day, all day.
He wants us to give our heart to Him and observe His way. To learn and do. Imagine how amazing life would be if we as brothers and sisters in the Messiah would learn and do?
Think More About It
Have you ever been surprised by someone who observed what you did? Could you share with us the lesson you learned?
If this blog was a blessing, please share. Thanks!
