Watching

For years, Britain has had more CCTV cameras per head of the population than anywhere else. The benefits have been widely acknowledged, as criminal behaviour in town centres is often 'caught on camera'. 

But now we hear that Google have not just been keeping an eye on our computer habits, through their assorted spiders' webs of tracking what we do, but even their street cameras have been noting stuff which the eye cannot see, like our wireless internet activity. 'Naughty Google',  hear the regulators saying.

While Google and others have their reasons and technology to watch what we do - and these mostly relate to how they can get money out of us - I am reminded that 'the eyes of the Lord that search all over the world' (Zechariah 4.10)

Jesus reminded his followers that ' Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. ' (Matthew 6.4), and ' when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. ' (Matthew 6.6), and ' when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.' (Matthew 6.17-18)

In every case, in these three activities which have always been seen as the marks of people who practice their faith in God, the only spectator that matters is our Father in heaven. 

None of us is trying to please others, whose good opinion we may value, but our only concern should be to live for the sake of our Father's glory and honour.

What a relief!

Best wishes,

Richard