Darren Wilson,
simply had no idea that confronting two boys walking down the middle of a street would end up so profoundly changing his life
ending his job,
putting him on trial
nationwide even international attention
Michael Brown
had no idea that taking cigarillos from the corner store and encountering a lone man in a car would make any real impact on his day
let alone his life
who knew?
Proverbs 27:1New International Version
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
for you do not know what a day may bring.
New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Take home lesson among many
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
if either of them could have known or seen the earth-shattering impact of choices made in relative obscurity and minutia would it have made any difference?
so much of my life can seem mundane, trivial, obscure
I cannot even imagine having the intense scrutiny that this unfortunate and tragic interchange has brought upon these two individuals, their families, their communities, their town, this nation etc.
When I am home with my children...
Would I act differently if another adult was there to observe?
How would I act if several people were there?
or even my whole neighborhood?
or my whole town?
what if I was being filmed for the world over to scrutinize and replay over and over again and discuss?
Integrity is being exactly the same in all of these situations
because God is always watching
God always sees me
People have a wide variety of opinions, perspectives, responses
but
God always sees and God knows
not just what I do
but why
nothing can be hid or disguised from Him
Living for an audience of One
If I live with God in view
if I live knowing God has me in view
what would that change?
my attitude
the why of what I do
seeking to love Him who has loved me first
by showing practical love
to those He has put right here in front of me
seeing them as the opportunity God has given
to both know His love and grace working in me
and to extend it to them.
Believing that only through Jesus
am I or any one else, brought into this wonderful relationship
with the Living and all powerful and all loving God
That I deserve nothing, worse than nothing
and therefore can show His love and grace to anyone
Inner Transformation working outwards
how this changes my demeanor and tone and how I interact with my children, my spouse, my neighbors
the employee I have to interact with to get the window in my house repaired
to see each one as You see them
loved, desired, understood, longing to bless and comfort and save
how do I see these people?
how do I treat them?
how do I see that sink of dirty dishes
that pile of laundry
that bathroom that needs cleaning
meaningless,
trivial
mundane
obscure
something to avoid
or rush through to get to more 'meaningful' activities elsewhere?
Luke 16:10New King James Version (NKJV)
10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
How do I think, act ,interact and respond when someone I care about
or at least want to think well of me
is watching?
How do I - when I think no one is watching?
what would I do differently if I knew ahead of time that the tiny details of my day were going to be broadcast and scrutinized and discussed by millions?
this is reality with God
to be the same with or without
to live before His gaze only
an audience of one
this will keep me
this will transform me
this will bring me to my knees
to seek Jesus for the kind of deep, transforming and pervasive change He has wanted to do all along
"Faithful in little; Faithful in much"
Oh Lord,
help me to know you are here with me
you have given me these tasks and no one else
you see all
you see my motives and my heart
you are never confused or unaware or unsure of what is going on with me
within me
Help me to be
to do,
to be in relationships
as you want
as you will enable
whether anyone one else sees or doesn't see
You do see me
You see what I do
You see what I want
I want You
this is life changing and powerful
for me
and for all with whom my life intersects
This is opportunity on a grand scale
let me not believe the lies
that what lies before me is inconsequential
trivial
meaningless
drudgery
it is opportunity
to find YOU
to know YOU
to be changed
to know more of YOU
to know more of YOU in me
in my home
in my family
in my day
help me not to be driven to seek what you have not given at this time from others
such as attention, affirmation, approval
help me to seek and find You
right here and right now
in this place and time where I am
knowing I am not alone
but You are with me
Hebrews 13:5-6New International Version (NIV)
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said,
6 So we say with confidence,
Footnotes:
- Hebrews 13:5 Deut. 31:6
- Hebrews 13:6 Psalm 118:6,7
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 Corinthians 10:31New International Version (NIV)
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, In.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide
Colossians 3:23J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
Whatever you do, put your whole heart and soul into it, as into work done for God, and not merely for men—knowing that your real reward, a heavenly one, will come from God, since you are actually employed by Christ,...
J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
J. B. Phillips, "The New Testament in Modern English", 1962 edition by HarperCollins
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