It’s easy to do the right thing in the glare of public eye. It’s easy to be committed to a course and be dedicated to a given task when the team leader is around, it’s easy to pray and worship during a church service. But what happens when no one is looking?
It’s easy to give and be generous when we are ok financially, when the bank balance is high and the bills are paid. But what happens when the story changes?
It was reported recently that charitable giving has declined due to the current economic climate. Yes, while close to 2.5 million Britons may be currently out of work, what proportion of those gave regularly to have badly affected charitable courses? Or is it that the rest of us have decided to hold on to what we’ve got.
It was also reported that due to the current economic atmosphere shop lifting have gone up, people have become more dishonest, ruder, and unfriendly.
How come? How can honest, decent, law abiding people suddenly became thieves and cheats, I ask myself? Could it be that their job was a glass shield, used to mask an underlying problem of shoplifting and indecent behaviour? I don’t think people can just switch and change depending on their circumstances. Whatever the reasons, I think that majority of people put up an act when people are watching. Hence the real person comes out given a change in circumstances.
I was in a shop a few days ago just browsing. I walked to the jewellery section and tried on a few of the pieces and found one I liked which I eventually paid for and slipped on my left wrist.
I was with a friend at the time, we walked outside, and after a couple of blocks I felt something on my right wrist, at first I thought it was my wrist watch but it was loose which made me wonder what it could be. I looked and behold one of the bangles I tried on but forgot to take off.
“O my God I gasped”, my friend stopped, thinking I had lost something.
“What is it she said”,
“Look I said” showing her my wrist, she started laughing.
“It’s not funny, I said, I’ve just walked out of the shop with a bangle I don’t intend to have, without paying for it”.
She goes “O well you have it now, no one saw you, and you might as well keep it”. “I am not keeping it” “I am taking it back”, “I replied”
“Just keep it, it’s only a bangle” she replied. I am taking it back”, even if I want it, I will have to pay to keep it.
It wasn’t as easy as it sounds. You may wonder was there a part of me, a very small part that wanted to keep it. Yes there was, it’s easy to think, oops it’s my lucky day, but it wasn’t its stealing, however small. (My friend was testing me though).
With no one looking, we walked to the shop and put it back where it belonged.
This is not an attempt to pat myself on the back to say O, look what we did, we’re honest and decent, far from it, it’s just to drive home the point.
What do you do when no one is looking?
Would you still litter the street if there were no CCTV or hygiene police on the watch?
Would you still be dedicated to your job if your boss were away? Or you have no boss?
Would you still tenderly care for your friend’s baby in her absence the same way you would when she’s there?
Would you be faithful in giving, no matter how small when your situation changes?
Would you still be nice to the elderly folks in your care, when you are alone with them?
Would you still pay your taxes if it was left up to you to do so? Now that’s a thought!
Do you do what you do because it is convenient to do so, or because you are required by law to do so? Or because you know it is a moral and decent thing to do.
It’s easy to put up a smile and say hello in good times, but what happens when the bottom drops off? How do you hold up in tough times? We are in tough times right now, the world is in the deepest recession like never before, battling the threat of Swine flu pandemic, wars, e.t.c.
The only way to go through tough times is to stay with the one who can stir your ship to quiet waters, he alone can give you the peace, resolve and strength to remain steadfast, unmoveable, unshakeable and honest in trying times, helping you with the guidance of his Holy Spirit to do right when no one is looking.
It’s easy to give and be generous when we are ok financially, when the bank balance is high and the bills are paid. But what happens when the story changes?
It was reported recently that charitable giving has declined due to the current economic climate. Yes, while close to 2.5 million Britons may be currently out of work, what proportion of those gave regularly to have badly affected charitable courses? Or is it that the rest of us have decided to hold on to what we’ve got.
It was also reported that due to the current economic atmosphere shop lifting have gone up, people have become more dishonest, ruder, and unfriendly.
How come? How can honest, decent, law abiding people suddenly became thieves and cheats, I ask myself? Could it be that their job was a glass shield, used to mask an underlying problem of shoplifting and indecent behaviour? I don’t think people can just switch and change depending on their circumstances. Whatever the reasons, I think that majority of people put up an act when people are watching. Hence the real person comes out given a change in circumstances.
I was in a shop a few days ago just browsing. I walked to the jewellery section and tried on a few of the pieces and found one I liked which I eventually paid for and slipped on my left wrist.
I was with a friend at the time, we walked outside, and after a couple of blocks I felt something on my right wrist, at first I thought it was my wrist watch but it was loose which made me wonder what it could be. I looked and behold one of the bangles I tried on but forgot to take off.
“O my God I gasped”, my friend stopped, thinking I had lost something.
“What is it she said”,
“Look I said” showing her my wrist, she started laughing.
“It’s not funny, I said, I’ve just walked out of the shop with a bangle I don’t intend to have, without paying for it”.
She goes “O well you have it now, no one saw you, and you might as well keep it”. “I am not keeping it” “I am taking it back”, “I replied”
“Just keep it, it’s only a bangle” she replied. I am taking it back”, even if I want it, I will have to pay to keep it.
It wasn’t as easy as it sounds. You may wonder was there a part of me, a very small part that wanted to keep it. Yes there was, it’s easy to think, oops it’s my lucky day, but it wasn’t its stealing, however small. (My friend was testing me though).
With no one looking, we walked to the shop and put it back where it belonged.
This is not an attempt to pat myself on the back to say O, look what we did, we’re honest and decent, far from it, it’s just to drive home the point.
What do you do when no one is looking?
Would you still litter the street if there were no CCTV or hygiene police on the watch?
Would you still be dedicated to your job if your boss were away? Or you have no boss?
Would you still tenderly care for your friend’s baby in her absence the same way you would when she’s there?
Would you be faithful in giving, no matter how small when your situation changes?
Would you still be nice to the elderly folks in your care, when you are alone with them?
Would you still pay your taxes if it was left up to you to do so? Now that’s a thought!
Do you do what you do because it is convenient to do so, or because you are required by law to do so? Or because you know it is a moral and decent thing to do.
It’s easy to put up a smile and say hello in good times, but what happens when the bottom drops off? How do you hold up in tough times? We are in tough times right now, the world is in the deepest recession like never before, battling the threat of Swine flu pandemic, wars, e.t.c.
The only way to go through tough times is to stay with the one who can stir your ship to quiet waters, he alone can give you the peace, resolve and strength to remain steadfast, unmoveable, unshakeable and honest in trying times, helping you with the guidance of his Holy Spirit to do right when no one is looking.
10 comments:
Ahh.. Wasn't it Bill Hybels who wrote that masterclass Who you are when no one is looking/..
The only way to go through tough times is to stay with the one who can steer your ship to quiet waters, he alone can give you the peace, resolve and strength to remain steadfast, unmoveable, unshakeable and honest in trying times, helping you with the guidance of his Holy Spirit to do right when no one is lookingWell said!
rightly said.
Will meditate on this.
When people are watching they act as checks and balances.
I remember when i mistakenly walked out a store and a jacket was clinging to my bag (i had just finishd drooling over it), it was a struggle to return it back because they just never noticed and this was before the economic issue. but i did.
I'll just ponder on the rest.
I remember walking out of a shop with a nice dress hanging by my side. I was really tempted to go away with it but I had to return it cause my conscience kept telling me to return it. Really nice write up to ponder on. U are quite a deep person oo.
nic eone..
i kno i litter!
i kno sometimes i get slow on the work of God wen im not in any sort of stress
but I hope nd thrive to be a better person at these kind of stuff!
and lol at ur frend!
hmmm...thanks for sharing this.
Interesting, this calls for soul searching, many times we might think we are the best. but what will most of us have done if we were in your shoes with the bangles?
I won't sit here and pretend like I have done everything right. I have done some things I am not proud of and reading this post brings back those sad memories.
If there is one thing I detest the most, it is hypocrisy. Like Paul, we sometimes ourselves doing those things we don't really want to do. But in times like these, what we need is to lean on the everlasting arm of God for support.
"Lord, don't let me fall by the way side. Be my strength when I'm weak"
Thanks for being a blessing.
food for thought
Word.... word.. word... food for much thought too...
ditto @ Dammy re Paul's words.. the things I would love to do, half the time I don't do them, half the time I watch myself doing that which I don't want to do... sometimes the thing tire me oh.
I always have to remind myself to ask for God's help, to do that which I know I should do, and keep doing it and not divert to do that which I don't want to do.. and by His grace, and teaching (and plenty of flogging) I am getting better and better... I pray.
food for thought girl.. food for thought...
ps email.. sorry... I'm good.. been keeping busy... but a bit free this week, so can do my blog round.. hehehehe.. miss u oh. x
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