Who Are You When No Ones Looking?

Years ago the book, "Who You Are When No One's Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise" impacted my life. It caused me to think about my actions when there was no person around to be accountable to. We can easily forget that God is watching every little move we make, even the ones we don't think matter. Am I courageous with out support? Am I disciplined without accountability? Can I endure without complaint? Can I really love unconditionally? I believe the answer to those questions will show you, your REAL "character". The word character can be defined as, "The action you take to carry out the values, ethics and morals that you believe in." As a Christian, we strive to take on the character of Jesus Christ. 

Yesterday, I went to my local supermarket to purchase fruit. I carefully picked over the plums, nectarines and pears until I found the ones without spot or blemish. I go to one of those self check-out lanes, weigh the fruit, key in the code, pay and get the receipt. As I looked at the receipt, it seemed less expensive than I had thought. I looked again and I noticed I keyed in the wrong code for plums. I put in the code for apples instead. My first thought as I picked up the bag was, "Oh, who cares?" Suddenly each step I took felt like slow motion but my conscious was going a mile a minute. "Did anyone notice? Was that captured on camera? Should I ask the cashier about this? Oh no! I'm going to have to wait in line to get this corrected and I don't feel like it!" My feet stopped right in front of a cashier and I told her the mistake I'd made. "You have to go to the service desk to get that corrected." she said. I thanked her. While walking to the service desk, I began to pray, "Lord, I'm really tired but I don't want it on my conscious that I stole money from this store. Please, let there NOT be a long line at the Service Desk?" As I walked to the Service Desk, there was no line. (Hallelujah!) I began to explain that I keyed in the wrong code and may owe more money. As the cashier looked at the receipt she said, "No. I think you're going to get some money back." Lo and behold, I had OVER paid. If the Holy Spirit hadn't pricked my conscience, not only would I have sinned (because of lack of integrity) but I also would have lost out on some money.

Most people wouldn't think this was a big deal. I know whom I serve and He's watching me when no one else is. Who are YOU when no one is looking?

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."  Romans 5:1-5