I Always Feel Like, Somebody's Watching Me

Sometimes it's good to be a little paranoid.  You know, when you feel like people around you are looking at you like they know you or when they want to eavesdrop on what you are saying to others?  I'll give you an example from this week.


I had visited some of the students in our ministry at their school during lunch (something I highly recommend).  It was good to see them in their element, when they are comfortable and being themselves.

I wasn't there long.  I had enough time to say "hi" to several of them, talk about their rubbery chicken sandwiches and their plans for the summer.  You know, typical small talk.  Then they left; and so did I.

Fast forward 3 hours:  my oldest and I were at a convenient store getting some necessary sustenance (I earned a bag of chips!) when I noticed some student-aged kids looking at me.  Brief paranoia (the bad kind) set in.  But then they asked if it was me they saw at the school that day. So we talked a little and we all went on our way.  Paranoia subsided.

But that got me thinking.  I had seen and talked to probably a hundred people at that school; from teachers to students, to more students and teachers.  I had carried on a variety of conversations all over that campus.  I met students for the first time and reconnected to students I hadn't seen in a while.  The entire trip took less than 30 minutes, but in that time I was recognized, heard, and observed by over twice the amount of people that I talked to.

How was I perceived?  Probably cheesy.  I'm so sure.  Probably lame at times.  Obviously.  I'm sure a few eye rolls occurred.  Yeah!  That is part of putting yourself out there.  But more importantly, did I say anything that led people to Christ?  Away from Him? Were the students glad I came or glad when I left?

My hope for myself, and for you, is that whenever we are with people, we are mindful not only of what we are saying to them, but what others around us are hearing.  The students at the convenient store had seen me earlier and I'm sure heard me talking; and I didn't even know it.  Who is watching you?