Walking along I was one day and I noticed someone I knew a distance off, perhaps one hundred metres away. He was just walking back to work from a break; there was nothing sinister in what he was doing. It was interesting in that I was suddenly aware that I could see everything he was doing, yet he was completely unaware of my presence and observation. I reflected momentarily on this sudden awareness within me. I thought “wow,” I’m in this position as someone also observed, without my knowledge; without my consent. That’s a bit of a frightening prospect. We take both positions of power as the observer or relinquish the power as observee -- and all this takes place simultaneously, through each day, when we’re around people, and even at times when we think we’re alone; we watch and are watched.
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How often are we “seen” yet we’re completely unaware of it. Fortunately, most of us are not famous or anything other than ordinary; we blend in quite well with our environment, particularly when our behaviour is not too ‘out there.’ We can now, in a moment, sympathise with the Bill Clinton’s’ and the Pope Benedict’s’ and the Michael Phelps’, for they live such a public life; we’re blessed to know a genuine private world at least a thousand times less public than these three.
How often are we “seen” yet we’re completely unaware of it. Fortunately, most of us are not famous or anything other than ordinary; we blend in quite well with our environment, particularly when our behaviour is not too ‘out there.’ We can now, in a moment, sympathise with the Bill Clinton’s’ and the Pope Benedict’s’ and the Michael Phelps’, for they live such a public life; we’re blessed to know a genuine private world at least a thousand times less public than these three.
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There are many times I know when I am least at my best and I’m completely unaware of the fact that someone always watches -- if not human, certainly the Divine. Imagine seeing with multiples sets of eyes… imagine that perspective! Like me, you too have weak moments. When we collectively have horrendous moments, there is one who sees.
There are many times I know when I am least at my best and I’m completely unaware of the fact that someone always watches -- if not human, certainly the Divine. Imagine seeing with multiples sets of eyes… imagine that perspective! Like me, you too have weak moments. When we collectively have horrendous moments, there is one who sees.
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God’s like this -- he sees everything we do, and don’t do. God is Spirit -- he is within us and within all. The Scriptures are littered with hints and clues regarding this. For instance, Qoheleth, the teacher and writer of the ancient book of Ecclesiastes puts it like this, right at the end of his excursus: “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”[1] The Apostle Paul concurs, for he said to the Corinthians in his first letter -- in downplaying their judgment of him as unimportant, “It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.”[2]
God’s like this -- he sees everything we do, and don’t do. God is Spirit -- he is within us and within all. The Scriptures are littered with hints and clues regarding this. For instance, Qoheleth, the teacher and writer of the ancient book of Ecclesiastes puts it like this, right at the end of his excursus: “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”[1] The Apostle Paul concurs, for he said to the Corinthians in his first letter -- in downplaying their judgment of him as unimportant, “It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.”[2]
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Imagine that God, who sees everything including all the disgusting, revolting, filthy stuff that we know about ourselves and yet, still accepts us! We stand innocent before him when in fact we know we’re guilty. When God sees everything, including all the bad stuff, yet amazingly loves us still more than we could ever know, why would we feel perturbed about other mere mortals thinking down on us?
Imagine that God, who sees everything including all the disgusting, revolting, filthy stuff that we know about ourselves and yet, still accepts us! We stand innocent before him when in fact we know we’re guilty. When God sees everything, including all the bad stuff, yet amazingly loves us still more than we could ever know, why would we feel perturbed about other mere mortals thinking down on us?
s
Yet judgment comes and it affects us. We know that we’ll be watched, as we also watch. We know that people might judge lightly what we do, or they might condemn; as we also might judge lightly or condemn. We will be judged and we will judge. That comes with the territory of life and the human faculty of thinking, knowledge, emotion, and conscience. But, isn’t it such a relief to know this Love that subsumes and totally accounts for worldly judgment; both theirs and ours. We’re made right though we’re wrong.
Yet judgment comes and it affects us. We know that we’ll be watched, as we also watch. We know that people might judge lightly what we do, or they might condemn; as we also might judge lightly or condemn. We will be judged and we will judge. That comes with the territory of life and the human faculty of thinking, knowledge, emotion, and conscience. But, isn’t it such a relief to know this Love that subsumes and totally accounts for worldly judgment; both theirs and ours. We’re made right though we’re wrong.
s
This surely helps us feel more comfortable in our own skin. Mortal judgment, whilst of some import, is not the be-all and end-all. It is the Judge who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness so that we will be fairly and justly and equitably and rightly judged -- at the end of all. This should make us somewhat comfortable, yet it also keeps us vigilant and this fact alone continues to motivate us toward good thoughts, words, and deeds. Now that’s balance that truly brings spiritual life, and correct perception, to the soul whom hungers and thirsts for righteousness and truth.
This surely helps us feel more comfortable in our own skin. Mortal judgment, whilst of some import, is not the be-all and end-all. It is the Judge who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness so that we will be fairly and justly and equitably and rightly judged -- at the end of all. This should make us somewhat comfortable, yet it also keeps us vigilant and this fact alone continues to motivate us toward good thoughts, words, and deeds. Now that’s balance that truly brings spiritual life, and correct perception, to the soul whom hungers and thirsts for righteousness and truth.
s
Is it really that important what people see or don’t see? The answer of course is, ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Therein lays a classic spiritual paradox that starts a whole fresh discussion.
Is it really that important what people see or don’t see? The answer of course is, ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Therein lays a classic spiritual paradox that starts a whole fresh discussion.
s
Copyright © 2008, S.J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, S.J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
S
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