Candid Camera.
Please tell me you've seen that show. (You know, the one where "unsuspecting people are placed in confusing, impossible, embarrassing, ridiculous, and hilarious circumstances, while their reactions are recorded on a hidden camera.") It's right up there with "America's Funniest Home Videos." Just the right amount of silly/goofy humor to occupy your mind when you're bored and have absolutely nothing productive to do.
Don't give me that look. You know you're just as guilty as I am of watching episodes of one or both of these shows. And - just maybe - laughed a bit at them.
In the show Candid Camera, after an allotted time has passed, someone calls out, "Smile! You're on Candid Camera!"
And naturally, the crowd laughs. That's to be expected. They were in on something the "suspect" wasn't. They had information the "suspect" didn't. They had no surprises. They knew exactly what was happening and what was coming next.
The unsuspecting individual, however, may or may not laugh. I've seen episodes where they do, in good nature, laugh at themselves. But I've also seen episodes where they…
feel confused.
get embarrassed by their reactions.
react in a downright ridiculous fashion.
or punch the hidden camera man in the face.
(Ok, that last response was made up.)
But still.
You get the idea.
The crowd has full access to information. The suspects are caught off guard because they don't think anyone is watching their actions.
….Walk with me and carry this same idea into reality for just a second…
I've often heard it said of life that the mark of your integrity is what you do when no one is looking.
But what if that's a backwards way of looking at it?
What if integrity is actually what we do naturally when everyone is looking in on our lives - unexpectedly - and we're just blissfully unaware of the copious notes they're taking behind-the-scenes?
People are always watching your life. Your words. Your actions. Your reactions. Your character.
People are always watching my life. my words. my actions. my reactions. my character.
How do I know this to be true? Because ever since I was a kid, I remember my mom teaching this principle to me.
It's a fact: People watch other people's lives.
But why do they do it? (I'm glad you asked.)
They do it to see if everything lines up. To see if you're real, sincere, genuine, authentic. To see if you're truly different than what the world offers. To see if they really want what you profess to have in Christ.
I wonder… what reaction would you have to the "secret video footage" the people surrounding your life may have of you?
Would you laugh?
Would you be confused?
Would you get embarrassed?
Would you react in a ridiculous fashion?
Remember that people (whether they ever voice it or not) are always watching your life, especially if you're a Christian.
You are a light in the darkness.
A city on a hill.
"The only Bible some people will ever read."
And, at the end of the day, you should be able to smile - especially when reviewing the Candid Camera video footage of your life.
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."
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