"I have this weird feeling I'm being watched..."

Okay, I admit it, I just really like that picture. But all joking aside, sometimes it really feels like people are watching us. Maybe not because they want to eat us, as is the case for our little friend Goldie, but they are watching us. Watching to see how we react. How we act. What we say.

I've gotten a little taste of that over the last couple weeks. Between being in a leadership position through TeenPact and having been rather successful in debate, I've gotten a chance to feel what it's like to be watched. Not with malicious intent, but watched, all the same.

Have you ever been in a position like that? Circumstances, whether up to you or not, have thrust you into the public eye, or to the forefront of your circle of influence, and suddenly people are watching you. It feels like every move you make is scrutinized, debated, and maybe even judged. And it's kind of disconcerting.

A great example of this happening on a broad scale would be the lives of politicians and celebrities. Have you ever noticed that seemingly insignificant actions that would mean little in our lives suddenly take on some stupendous meaning when carried out by someone famous?

"Princess Kate goes out for coffee."

"Clinton trips on her way down steps."

"President wears a fancy suit."

Come on, really people?!

But it's true. When people rise to a position of power, leadership, influence, or even just fame, what they do is watched. Why is that? Why is going out for coffee, tripping, or buying clothes such a big deal? A big part of it is that they don't just reflect themselves anymore. They come to represent their party, their people, an organization, a position, or even an idea. The way the leader acts displays something about the people they are representing or the idea they are championing.

So, what about us? It is true also, that when we rise to a position of success or leadership, people will be watching us as well. Certainly not on as broad a scale. Your every move won't make Yahoo! headlines. But people will be watching. Weighing. Maybe even judging. Why? Because you suddenly represent something.

When my partner and I debate in finals, we are no longer just a debate team. We represent our club to the rest of the league. Probably more importantly, we represent the league to any community judges who are there. We are scrutinized because the other competitors want to be sure we are being good representatives.

When I am staffing TeenPact, I am no longer just representing Rachel. I represent TeenPact to the students and parents, and they are watching me. Not because they want to see what Rachel's like, but because they want to see what TeenPact is like.

And what about us as Christians? People are watching us too. Not because they want to see what we're like, but because they want to see what Christianity is like. What the church is like. What Christ is like. Just like I need to make sure I debate ethically, or handle a situation at TeenPact well, because I represent other people, we need to live our lives well, because we represent Christ. We are His ambassadors. How we act directly affects how people will view Christianity.

So next time you feel like you're being watched, it's probably because it's true. Hate to freak you out, but that's probably the case.

It's easy, when we feel like we're being watched, to freeze. To be afraid to move because we're afraid of being criticized or doing the wrong thing. But if we "freeze" under pressure, we will never be effective leaders and we will never be good representatives. Being watched, while it is a tough position, is also a unique opportunity to impact people's lives. Being a leader is a burden, it's true. But can be a blessed burden, if we carry it for Christ. Don't be afraid to be watched. Live for Christ in such away that you can be glad when people watch you, because they can see Christ through you.

Don't be afraid of being watched. Use the opportunity to let people know what Christ is really like.

And remember... they don't want to eat you. Most of the time.