In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
One thing I decided to get after having the pup for a month or so was a good flashlight. I didn’t particularly like taking him out after dark and only being able to see a few feet ahead of me. You have to understand that we don’t just open the door and let him go there because that would be uncivilized! We have to go down the yard and into the woods to the designated “potty” area. I got this awesome flashlight that was small, but unbelievably bright! It zooms in and out which pretty much makes it a spotlight that allows me to scan the whole length of the yard and even into the woods. It can also light up the whole area around where we’re standing.
I prefer checking everything out before venturing too far from the house. I’m unusual that way because most people would shine the light straight ahead, get where they need to go, and head right back into the house. Not me. I would rather see if I’m sharing my yard with a bear or who knows what else. I figure that since we moved into their area, the least I could do is share the yard. So it’s fine if they’re there, but I just like to be aware of that fact. It’s the human variety that I would actually flip out seeing as I’m doing a sweep of the vicinity.
This morning it was still dark when I was ready to take the pup out to do his business. I grabbed my handy, dandy flashlight, and off we went. As I inspected the yard with my light, I realized I was being watched. There were two green eyes in the woods looking at me. Good to know the pup and I weren’t alone. I took him down and he did his thing. Yep, the green eyes were still on me. It looked away a couple of times just out of politeness I think. I’m sure it wouldn’t want to be caught staring.
If I had used a different flashlight, I would’ve never even known that I was being watched. It got me wondering how many times I haven’t realized someone was watching me. Am I representing the Lord as His follower in a way that draws people to Him or repels people from Him?
Just like I was able to see this morning, we need to allow God to shine light on our behavior so we recognize how we are representing Him. We never know when we’re being watched.
- Hold a door for someone today.
- Remain calm in traffic. Stop tailgating and let someone in your lane.
- Remain patient when you’ve been waiting too long in line.
- Put your shopping cart where it belongs when you’re done. Take it to the next level, and put someone else’s away that is left in the parking lot.
- Offer a compliment to a stranger.
- Speak nicely to your family members and strangers alike.
Not only will good deeds glorify your God in heaven and be nice to the person you are in direct contact with, but you could be making a difference to someone you don’t even realize is watching.
