You're Being Watched!

You’re being watched, And you don't even know it

Think about it.

Our government is watching the other countries. Those countries are watching us and everyone else.  

With this being an election year everyone, especially the media, is watching each candidate, waiting to see what their next move will be.

With the social media at your fingertips, we are watching each other almost instantly, as life is happening.  Even as it takes place on the other side of the town, state, country, and world.

If you know that you are always being watched, does that make you live your life differently?  As Christian’s men and women of the faith, what is the world observing about us?  What do they see as they are watching us?

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV

My bible say that we are to “Imitate God…” act like God would.  What would happen if the world…Texas...Victoria, watched Christians that were all imitating, acting like God?

As we end the week reflect back on the conversations, the encounters, and those you simply passed by. When they looked at you did they see you…….or did they see God? 

As we prepare for next week know that you are being watched!  Watched by those you have conversations with, those you encounter, those that you simply pass by, those that work with you, your neighbors, your children, and more.  And yes, God is also watching you. 

Be an imitator of Christ.  May others watch Jesus, not you.

Serving Him Together,

Mike

Hospitality, Fear, and the Times in Which We Live…

Hospitality, Fear, and the Times in Which We Live…

A few weeks ago, December 20^th, to be exact…I had the privilege of preaching in our Sunday Morning Worship Service. Something very awkward happened right before our service that was somewhat troublesome, raising my blood pressure and a fear in me that I have not experienced before…

A young man entered our Worship Center and told the volunteers working the Welcome Center that he “needed to speak to the pastor.”  As you are aware, we are currently searching for a Senior Pastor. Mickey, our Assistant Pastor, was in New York visiting his children and grandchildren. So, not sure what to do our Welcome Center Volunteers began looking for me.

I went over to the Welcome Center to meet the young man they were speaking about. He wore a baggy coat and had it buttoned all the way up. The bottom of his coat stuck out a bit, as if he had something tucked into the front of his pants. Upon greeting him, he said, “I need to speak to you man-to-man!” I had never seen this young man before. The more he talked, the more nervous and fearful I became.

I was sure that I did not want to take him into my office to visit, so we walked over by the church library, where we could speak, yet be in the line of vision of our Welcome Center volunteers. I asked the young man how I could assist him or if there were anything that I could pray with him about. He simply replied, “I’m here” and said nothing more… (At the time, I was trying to figure out what he had under his coat…was it one of those fanny pack things?…or was it possibly…a weapon?) I thanked him for coming to Northside and asked him if he was hungry. We had a great church-wide breakfast that morning. He said he had not eaten, so I walked him over to the fellowship hall. Our deacons welcomed him and provided him with a nice plate of food. He proceeded to enter the fellowship hall and eat. Our safety team was notified and some deacons volunteered to visit with the young man.

By this time it was 10:35am with our morning Worship Service about to start, so I returned to the Worship Center to prepare for the service. A fear that something bad could happen this morning was slowly creeping over me. To be honest, I don’t remember much about the service, except the thoughts I was having…What will I do if this young man walks down the aisle with a weapon? Will I try to tackle him and take his weapon? The mind is an amazing thing…and, because of fear, mine was running wild the morning of December 20^th. Recently, I was reading Romans, and I was reminded that you and I, as followers of Jesus, are to be a reflection of the Kingdom of God, instead of a reflection of the world…

Romans 12:17-21 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” ²¹ Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

I was told, that immediately following the service, the young man exited the church on foot without speaking to anyone. I have not seen him since. Did I handle this right? Why was I so consumed by fear? I still wonder today.

We live in uncertain times…we should all look to the Scripture, and decide how we will respond to events such as this in the future. And, most importantly, decide how Jesus would want us to respond.