They say true character is defined by what a person does when no one is watching. Doing the right thing is a part of who the person is not just what they do. It is far easier to say and do all the right things when you have an audience, but what do you do when no one is watching?
Jesus would separate himself from his disciples in effort to spend time alone with God. He didn’t pray eloquent, pious prayers in front of large crowds in effort to receive recognition and accolades. Instead, he wanted to be alone with the Lord to worship Him, learn from Him, and share his heart with his loving Father. He needed the Lord to equip him for the ministry he had been called to. Jesus didn’t pray for approval from other people, he knew it was the right thing to do.
What do you do when no one is watching? Do you avoid talking to God when you are lost and alone or do you cry out in desperation knowing He is all you have? Do you go the extra mile to do a job with excellence, or do you take short cuts knowing the result will be the same in the end? Do you return the money when someone has overpaid you or do you hold onto it and not say anything because their mistake benefits you? Do you use your blinker when you’re driving alone on a backroad, or blow it off altogether because you’re the only one around? These examples may sound a little random, but they reflect your true character – do you do things because they look good or because it’s just the right thing to do?
Thankfully, we do not have to live perfect lives to serve a perfect God. We do, however, need to allow Him to search our hearts and minds and equip us with His truth and instruction to create good character within us. When we allow God to pour His good things in, we can’t help when those good things flow out of us for His glory. What we choose to do when no one is watching becomes what we get to do for an audience of One.
Be blessed!
Jennifer
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24