If you’re anything like me (and if you are, I do apologize), you often find yourself in your own little world. No, not the imaginary world where you talk to yourself and hear voices, but where you’re caught up in what you’re doing and what’s going on in your life that you basically forget about the rest of the world. I don’t mean this in a degrading way either. It’s not that we aim to be so self-involved; sometimes our schedules are just demanding, or maybe we’re caught up in a conversation or problem and we just simply forget that there are, in fact, other people around. Other people watching.

I’ve seen it a few times lately: Christians who are a bit too caught up in their own world that they forget that other people are watching them. Most notably, that nonbelievers are watching. And so, they come across as rude. They fly off at the waitress who isn’t moving fast enough or forgot to bring your condiment. They are impatient and critical. They are flat out rude.

In my mind, I’m really hoping these people (and me, don’t think I’ve never been guilty!) are just flustered. That it’s not a chronic heart condition that has done this, but a slip up. And yet, when it happens–no matter the root of it all–it is detrimental. Yes, to our own souls, but mostly to the souls of the lost around us.

Jesus told us that we are to be lights to the world (Matt. 5:14). We are to be the examples to the lost around us. And, fortunately for us, the Bible spells out pretty clearly some ways in which we can be examples. There’s not complaining (Phil. 2:15), loving one another (John 13:35), loving our enemies (Matt. 5:44), not returning evil for evil (Romans 12:17), and a host of others. And yet, that’s not always the picture the world sees.

So today I just want to leave you (and me!) with a few questions. In light of Paul’s words to be “not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds” (Rom.12:1-2), and Peter’s exhortation to be strange (1 Pet.4:3-5), I just want to know what the world is seeing when they look at you (and me).

Does the world see something strange? Someone who doesn’t participate in the same kinds of conversations and recreational activities that they do?

Does the world see someone characterized by love? Both for their enemies and for their brethren? Or do they see someone who often complains and backbites?

Does the world see someone harsh and rude? Does the world see someone impatient and unconcerned, or do they see someone humbling themselves and doing nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit?

Does the world see someone who looks exactly like they do?

Wherever we go, someone is watching. Even in the most personal, private times, someone’s watching. A waiter, a cashier, a person waiting behind you in line, a neighbor, another patient at the doctor’s office…someone’s watching. Someone’s listening. Are you showing them Jesus, or just another person who seems exactly the same?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”