4-25-21 Look Behind You
Quote: “Be aware of your example because you have no idea who is influenced by you or who is following you.” – A Modern Day Ruth
The picture that is with this quote warms my heart beyond measure. For those of you that don’t know, I have taught kindergarten for 6 years. Some of the most challenging years of my teaching career for sure! But one special thing I do to remind me of how precious my role is in their life is I call them my little ducklings, a suggestion my friend Liz gave me many years back. They learn how to follow a line down a hallway like ducklings do and after many months of practice, can do it oh so beautifully! (Emphasis on many.) I have often turned around to look behind me and all I can do is smile, knowing I am their Mama Duck.
But take heed – this is a quote of extreme caution.
You may think you are “just” a parent or grandparent or aunt or uncle or guardian, but it is so much more than that! Children and teens are watching everything you do and say. They watch how you handle stress, rejection, wins, losses, blessings, and everything in between. Their little brains are being wired and formed to help them become the person they will be. Trust me when I say they see and hear way more than you think! I am also married to a middle school health teacher. The stories he tells me of things he hears in the hallway and classroom would astonish you. The world we were raised in is NOT the world we are raising this generation in. We must respond differently and with caution.
But I challenge you to think about your influence beyond just children.
What about your family members? Neighbors? Co-workers? Social media friends?
Your decisions and choices are being watched by way more than just children with brains being wired. Christians, the world is watching. They see you. They are forming opinions about you. And they are quick to catch on how we say “love each other” but then do the opposite. There are many people watching that you may not even know. As God expands your circles of influence in life, your audience is growing. Many have been hurt by a Christian or someone in the church. Many are angry at God. And many are confused with all the division in the world.
They are looking to us for the example! We have got to remind them that just because we are Christians, it doesn’t make us perfect! We need to remind them we fail everyday, just like they do. The difference is we ask for forgiveness every single day. We have to daily admit our weaknesses and ask our Heavenly Father to help us do better than we did the day before.
Don’t worry about who’s watching. But do remember that others are watching.
It says in Matthew 5:16, “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” What version of Jesus do you want people to see in your life? Because if you call yourself a Christian, that means you are a Christ follower. Whoever you follow is whoever you are trying to become like. And that is who they are seeing. Be sure it’s the characteristics of Christ that they are seeing. We want to point them toward the One who is perfect. The One who died for us so we could enjoy Heaven in the next life. So that we could spend eternity with no pain, sorrow, or sadness.
We live for an audience of One. But that doesn’t mean we can act anyway we want. Others are watching. We must proceed with caution.
