Somebody Is Always Watching
Click the social icons to share this post!
I recently began cleaning up my Mother’s garage. I would like to emphasize the words “began” and “my mother’s garage.” To say I “began” means I may not finish. Why you ask? Because it is “my Mothers’s garage.” LOL. She is well acquainted with my reputation as a minimalist (translation: I like throwing things away), and is justifiably concerned that many of her treasured possessions may find their way into a trash can. As a result, she has overseen the project like a hawk, often swooping in unawares to swipe something out of my hand.
During one of her unannounced site visits, she pointed to a tattered box and said “you might want to save that.” Upon opening it, I was shocked to find a batch of old trophies, plaques and citations I had received throughout my youth. One of the awards was for one of my proudest accomplishments. Here is a picture of it:
I was born and raised in New York, and high school basketball ( on all levels) in New York is a fiercely competitive enterprise. I could call several names of people who I played with who went on to play in the NBA. However, let me quickly add that I never had a chance of making it to the NBA. LOL. In fact, saying I played with some former NBA players is an overstatement. “Stood on the same court.” is closer to the truth.
I hardly ever played. I rode the bench—but I rode it in style. LOL. Truth is, I was pretty bad. And very short. I was 5’5 until my senior year in High School. But I had confidence and drive and was good enough to make the team.
Although I hardly played, I NEVER missed a practice, and my high school was a two hour commute from my home (one way). I remember several times when it snowed, but I still went-on the bus! I knew I wasn’t good enough to play, but I kept on showing up to practice. At some point, I think my goal was never to get in the game. I just wanted to be good enough to make the varsity team the following year..
So imagine my surprise when during the awards banquet at the end of the season, Coach John announced that I was the recipient of the Coach’s Award. I thought he was joking. Presenting me the award, he said something I will never forget: “this young man was not the most talented but he was the most committed..”
Receiving that award is one of the great experiences of my life. It is also one of the most instructive. Perhaps the greatest lesson that I learned from it was that the Coach was paying attention. He knew who came to practice. I guess that’s why he was the Coach. Coach John was always looking. And that taught me that often when we believe that our hard work and commitment goes unnoticed, that is simply not the case. Someone is always watching.
The idea that someone is always watching us might induce anxiety, especially if we think that we are being watched to be caught doing something wrong. And unfortunately we all have spies, peeping Toms, haters, critics, and members of the sanctified FBI who are overly interested in our affairs. Even your Alexa might be spying on you.
But I am referring to a different kind of surveillance. A wise preacher once said that “someone who is greatly capable of blessing you is always observing you.” I can think of nothing more encouraging than the confidence of knowing that our efforts to improve our lives, to help people, and to advance the cause of goodness and righteousness will not go unnoticed , unaided, or unrewarded. We are under divine surveillance.
Failure to remember that fact can cause us to make some foolish choices. The scriptures recount such an episode. King Asa of Judah was informed of a pending invasion of his country. Fearful and afraid, he decided to sell all of the valuables in his palace and in the Temple in order to purchase assistance from a neighboring nation to ward off the attack. He did everything except solicit divine aid. God was so disheartened by the King’s failure to ask his assistance, that he sent a prophetic message. This is what Hannai the prophet said to King Asa:
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
Another translation says that the eyes of the Lord “roam the earth.” Imagine! Right now, God is searching globe, looking for someone to help!
God (and God’s designated lieutenants) is looking for someone
to bless
to heal
to promote
to enrich
to shift.
God is watching. Never forget the words of that old gospel tune:
Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and homeWhen Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
Keep showing up for practice. Keep showing up for work. Keep showing up for your family. And when the doors open, keep showing up for church.
You are being watched.
And you will be rewarded.