“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:12
“Mothers have eyes in the backs of their heads!” I remember hearing that as a child, and it was in reference to my mother seemingly knowing everything I did, whether good or bad. I was mystified as to how she knew some things and amazed that she knew others. What astonishing power my mother had! I couldn’t even see those extra set of eyes on the back of her head! Today I know better, but like my mother, the mystique of my children believing I knew everything about them was passed down, and somewhere underneath my dark hair was another set of eyes that saw everything, or so they thought!
Unlike a mother, whose all-knowing powers are merely imaginary, God’s abilities to see and hear everything we do are real. He is truly omniscient and omnipresent, and because of that, we can have confidence that wherever we are, whatever situations we find ourselves in, and whenever we call out to Him, He is completely aware. He sees and hears us at all times!
While this is comforting in most aspects, we must also remember that when we choose to be in places where we should not be, or act in ways that dishonor God, say things that displease Him, He also sees and hears those times in our lives as well. This should spur us on to living a life for Jesus; a life in which “…we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…” (Titus 2:12) When we chose to live for God, He blesses us abundantly. Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
There is another set of eyes that watches us. Those eyes belong to the world. Christians are often under the world’s microscope. People look at us with a critical eye. Are we living any differently than they? Do they see Christ in us, or do they see someone exactly as themselves? Do they see the “real deal,” or do they see a hypocrite? This is the reason we must strive to live a life that honors God. As the world keeps its eyes on us, they should be able to recognize a difference that can only be explained by a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
(from “Living for Jesus” by Thomas O. Chisholm)
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” – Acts 17:28
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A life lived for Jesus is a life worth living!!