NIGHT CREW

Pat’s first job was working on the night shift at a supermarket. After closing time, he and the other staff stocked the shelves. Pat’s boss had told them to always turn the soup cans forward so that the label could be read easily. Also he had gone a little further by saying, “Make sure that they’re facing forward—three cans back.” One night as Pat was arranging the shelves, his co-workers began to get lazy, “Just make sure the front can is turned the right way. Who’s going to know?”

It was a moment of decision for the youngster. Should he do what his boss had asked him to do, or just do what was easy?

We’ve all been in similar situations where we’ve had to make a choice. Paul encouraged his fellow Christians to be obedient even when no one was watching: “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God” (COLOSSIANS 3:22, NKJV).

Doing the right thing should not be dependent on whether anyone else is watching. It’s not always easy or straightforward to live a God-pleasing life. Yet it’s right.

Remember, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (JAMES 4:17).

To pray about . . .

Father, please help me to follow Jesus and obey Him each day, even when doing my own thing would be easier.

OUR CHARACTER IS MEASURED BY WHAT WE DO
WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries