In 1995 I was sent to teach at the brand-new Austin High School. The state-of-the-art school had dry-erase “whiteboards” instead of chalkboards, computers in every classroom, and an abundance of windows and open spaces. Even students said it was a great facility.
The library had a computer behind the desk for teacher use only. The default screensaver said “Austin Bulldogs,” the red words bouncing around the black screen like a slow-moving game of Pong. One afternoon when the place was deserted, I changed the screensaver to “Readers are Leaders.”
The next morning the librarian saw me and said, “Did you change the screen saver?”
I stared at her.
“How did you know?”
“I just thought about it and you’re the only teacher that would do it.”
“Out of 200 teachers, the name Steven Wales just popped into your head?”
I was dumbfounded. This woman I had only met a week before looked at me and read me like a book.
I still think about that. Thirty years later I remind myself: Don’t do it. They’ll know it was you! That memory has curbed some of my playfulness! It has also stopped me from pulling harmless pranks and maybe a few that were not so harmless. I can’t shake the knowledge that people can see right through me.
Have you learned that lesson? Do you know how easily people spot your fingerprints on something? The way you draft a comment on the web? The way you arrange your space or possessions? The way you drive your car? People are watching. Use that knowledge not only to stay out of trouble but to glorify God.
Once a watchman was reporting on a chariot as it approached from far away.
“The driving is like Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a madman!” 2 Kings 9:20.
Of course, it WAS Jehu–because he was driving like a madman, same as always.
The point is, people pay more attention than you think: they know how you walk, talk, write, eat, drive, and everything else. (You’re never gonna get away with it!)
Like I said—people pay attention. People know you better than you think. They also know things about you that you don’t know about yourself. Be careful about pranks, jokes, and secrets—because you will get caught.
And now that you know everyone is watching, live a life that glorifies Christ.
“Let your light shine before me so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:16.
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