Big Brother is Watching

Having read Orwel's "1984" during the 80s, I was disturbed by how accurately prophetic his work of fiction was at its core. At that time we didn't have web cameras, cell phone cameras, and traffic cams were few and far between. Today, I'm not sure if I'm more bothered by the red light cam that snaps $70 photos of your car blowing through the intersection or the cameraphone that catches me picking my nose at the traffic signal I no longer rush through. Doesn't it bother you that you're being photographed or filmed nearly every day and that every little move you make, intentional or accidental can come back to haunt you?

As Christians, we are told over and over that God is watching. For many of us who grew up that way, Our parents abused this principle to keep us in line. But, our Father in Heaven, if He is truly our father and not some cosmic soup-Nazi out to squash every ounce of happiness out of our lives, wants us to know that he cares so much about the banal details of our day-to-day, that He's promised a replay in Heaven. We are to give an account for all that we have done.

Now, the Bible is sketchy on the details - will it be an invite only crowd? Will it be a sold out show? Will it be just me and God on the back porch of heaven and a 15" black and white set sitting in rocking chairs throwing back a few 1Samuel & Adam's reviewing a play-by-play narrated by the apostle, Paul? Who knows? Doesn't matter. Bottom line, we get to sit through the podcast of our life with the author of life and explain every "what was I thinking" moment, moreover, what we were thinking.

So, let's get to work. An acquaintance of mine was frustrated in a retail store a few weeks ago - a Christian bookstore. His view of what "working for the Lord, not men" means is that we work hard to give people courteous, thoughtful customer service. I happen to agree. But, when he didn't get that kind of service, he explained to the clerk that she was making it easier for him to shop at Amazon.com. I believe he did it with tact and poise, but what's your response to either side?

Are you working to give the best service out there, regardless of the depth of your job description, rate of pay, or kind of day you're having, or do you succumb to external circumstances? When you don't get what you want, would you be surprised when the person behind you in line shows you the phoneCam version of your attitude? What will either of you say when the Almighty reaches for the remote control? As Dwight Moody says, "Character is what you are in the dark."

Are you working for a paycheck? Are you working for recognition? Or, are you working out of gratitude for the One who will review your life with you? Big Brother is watching. Which would you rather for your title: "The Amazing Adventures of..." or "Heaven's Funniest Home Videos"?