Is That Someone Watching You?

Do you ever feel that someone is watching you? As if your life is being lived out on a grand stage and there’s an audience taking note of your every move? It’s a new year but you’ve probably had this feeling before if you’ve had it. If you haven’t had this feeling maybe you should think about reality.

I’m not talking about the security cameras which are in every bank, mall, store, church and street corner – or so it seems. I’m not talking about some stalker or parent or preacher or government agent.  I’m talking about another unseen observer.

The Psalmist, David, says in Psalm 139:1-7 “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your and upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”

Did you notice? The observation is closer than we feared. It is internal where our bodies have now become the very dwelling place of God. Every word is known before we speak it. Every thought lays open; every action is noticed; every motive of the heart is known. There is no escape – did you want one? – an escape I mean. Is there something at the start of the new year that needs realigning?

Apologist, Ravi Zacharias, calms our thoughts about this intense observation. “When God is our Holy Father, sovereignty, holiness, omniscience, and immutability do not terrify us; they leave us full of awe and gratitude. Sovereignty is only tyrannical if it is unbounded by goodness; holiness is only terrifying if it is untempered by grace; omniscience is only taunting if it is unaccompanied by mercy; and immutability is only torturous if there is no guarantee of goodwill.”

He’s saying that while we are being closely watched and monitored there is a watcher without motivations of harm.

Unfortunately, He is not the only observer. Perhaps we need to be observing ourselves a little more often.