A City on a Hill Cannot be Hidden

One way or another, our lives are on display for everyone to see.

I work in the IT industry. Each day I spend countless hours on the Internet working, researching and purchasing those things needed to keep my staff, and those we support, productive and efficient.

I am quite familiar with the idea of anonymity on the Internet. In fact, there are times when I wish that I could retrieve and use much of the information that I need without revealing my identity to those providing the information. Instead, I am usually required to submit my contact information as a means of gathering and using much of that information. That usually results in lots of follow up email, phone calls, and visits from service and product vendors. I need their expertise to do my job, and they need my money to keep their business solvent and producing an income for their families.

I wish I could gather the needed information while hiding my identity. It would be nice to have access to these resources while remaining anonymous. Now, I’m not stupid. I know there are methods of doing exactly that. But, I’m also honest and try to maintain a high level of integrity in my daily life. I think it would be dishonest of me to use their information but refuse to give them the contact information they require/request. I know they will just try and sell me some product that will “solve” the very issue that I’m experiencing, the very one that led me to their virtual doorstep.

In many ways, I also wish I could remain spiritually anonymous in my life. It would be so much easier if I could spout platitudes each week from the pulpit while keeping my personal life and struggles hidden. It is difficult being accountable for what I say and believe. It would be easier if I could tell you what God says YOU should do, say, and believe while ignoring them myself. But, that’s called hypocrisy and is severely condemned by Jesus.

So, who’s watching you? And, what are they seeing? Are your actions consistent with your words? James, the brother of Jesus, tells us that we should not just hear the Word, but also DO IT! If we read scripture and hear a lesson from its power-filled truth and then walk away and fail to live it out then we are like a man who sees his reflection in a mirror and then walks away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Do what it says and then see the results as God fulfills His promises in you!

BE DO-ers of God’s Word, and not just hearers!