By Tijuana J. Williams
I marvel at our daughter’s ability to sing before crowds of people. She has no fear. She feels at home on stage. It’s the place where she can do what God created her to do. She is not overly excited by the applause nor is her ability hindered when there are empty seats. And each time, she gives it her all! Because of the vast difference in our willingness to take the stage, I asked her, “How do you feel when you sing on stage?” Her answer was very simply. “I feel like I am making God smile!” My heart rejoiced because at such a young age, she understands the importance of living for an audience of One.
We constantly tell our children no matter what they do or where they go, they stand before an audience of One. Whether it’s how they interact with their classmates at school, their willingness to share or take turns, even how they treat each other at home, God is always with them and He’s always watching. We think it’s funny because sometimes when they get off track, one will sometimes correct the other by saying, “Ooooo, God heard that!” or “God saw you hit me!” The fact is…He really did.
What about us? Is our main goal each day to make God smile? Are we even cognizant that God is always with us?
If we could be completely honest, we would have to admit that God’s omnipresence sometimes eludes us. You may be saying, “Not me. I know God is always with me.” I think we often embrace that God is our ever-present help in times of trouble, but how acute is your awareness of His presence when having closed-door or whispered conversations? Do you consider that He’s present when you are constantly tardy to the job you prayed for? What about when you are impatient or frustrated with your spouse? And then there’s social media. Would you post, like, follow, share, or even be friends with certain people if attaining a smile from God were your ultimate goal?
Every day, our family prays that we would live in such a way that we would bring a smile to His face or a tear to His eye because He is so pleased with us. Yes, we fall short but inevitably having a keen awareness that the One who sacrificed His very life for us is always present, makes us stop and think. Living before an audience of One is not voluntary. It is much like breathing. It’s beyond our control.
I challenge you today and in the days ahead to be like our little one. Whether you win the applause of others or have to make a decision absent of people, make your priority gaining a smile from your audience of One.
For more about Tijuana J. Williams, visit www.sharingmyheartblog.com. Also, prepare for “VISION NOW! Moving From Dreaming To Doing” hosted by Tijuana J. Williams on Saturday, Oct. 1. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit visionnow.eventbrite.com.
