Original Entry: March 19, 2008
McMinnville, OR
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey then not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Ephesians 6:5-6
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Colossians 3:22
My U.S. History class was the only class that I ever scored more than 100 percent. My “A” in that class was tainted (before Christ) and I will never forget why. My teacher was a bicyclist who was paralyzed in a biking accident leaving him wheelchair bound and blind in his left eye. His weekly exams happened to be the exact print off of the Advanced Placement history class, who happened to be one week ahead of our class.
Somehow, a student got a hold of this worksheet and every Friday those of us in the know would migrate to the right side of the room, our teacher’s left eye side, and the only way he could see us was to physically turn his head to look which was easily avoidable.
This verse always takes me back to those Friday afternoon tests.
Typically a man will work under the authority of another whether that be a boss, supervisor or peer with greater seniority. In the work place a man can rest assured that someone is usually watching-good bosses usually do.
I do, however, know some men who are their own final authority and it is a precarious position unless a man is highly accountable to others or operates with an exceptional level of integrity.
As good as a boss might be the “eye” of authority is not always on you. The “eye” in the sky is easily manipulated, deceived and hidden from. To deceive authority is not impressive and represents nothing more than a crack or breakdown in a man’s character. How he spends his time at work matters to his integrity even if his boss or authority has turned a blind eye his way. Even when the eye of authority is not on a man he should remember that that the eyes of heaven are always engaged, always aware, and always tuned in to how a man stewards his life.
Remember, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2Chronicles 16:9).
Remember that when the boss’ eye is turned away God is always tuned in. A man might win the favor of men by manipulating the blind eye but will his lack of integrity help him to win the favor of the one that really matters?
