I’m sure all of you have heard the phrase “audience of one.” Whether it’s in the sports world, workplace, or some other arena, the question to be answered is “Who am I doing this for?” Some people work tirelessly their entire lives for the approval of others, while some are much less concerned what others may think. Yet, wherever you may fall, at one time or another we all have tried to impress someone else. It’s a natural thing. It’s our competitive nature.
Just last week I was at my oldest son’s varsity baseball game. Last year, this team won the WPIAL title and the state championship, so needless to say, every team we play this year has us circled on their schedules. It was an interesting atmosphere. Parents from the opposing team seemed to be hanging on every pitch – not bad for the first game of the year. To go along with that, there were a couple scouts in the stands watching our starting pitcher blow fastballs past the batters.
As I sat there, I thought about these young athletes…so many pairs of eyes watching them. That’s a pressure I never experienced at that age. It took me back to that phrase I referenced earlier, audience of one.
As a Christian, I recognize that all I do and say is really for my Savior, Jesus. I want Him to be exalted and honored by my life, but I can’t help but think there is more to it than that.
What about all those other eyes watching?
In Matthew 18:12-14, Jesus shares this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.”
In this story, we see just how important we are to God. He searched after us and rejoiced when we were found. That’s an amazing thought.
But sometimes, in our quest to live purposeful lives, we are missing the one.
The one that Jesus said is worth searching for. The one that we could point to Jesus that He may rejoice over that person like He does over us.
I want my life to reflect my love for Jesus and reflect that fact that He is my number one audience. Even though He is my number one audience, I have to be aware of those other eyes watching. I want that one person out there to take notice, so that I may have the incredible opportunity to share God’s story with him or her. And “whatever I do or say, I will do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col 3:17).
That’s my prayer today and every day, to one day hear the voice of my Savior saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That’s worth more than a million balls and strikes and radar guns.