The woman looked around, stooped and relieved herself on the side of the country road, thinking no one was watching. Just past noon on this weekday, not everyone was away from home at their workplace. If she thought someone was observing her, I’m sure she would have continued on her way.
In science, there is a phenomenon known as the observer effect. Most animals and humans change their behavior when they expect to be seen. Scientists, therefore, when observing animals, make sure they don’t disturb the animal, otherwise, the behavior will most likely be unnatural.
When we walk into a public building, we are more than likely to be on camera and are being watched by someone. Employers use software to monitor their employees to make sure they aren’t giving away company secrets or updating their social media. I had a friend who worked in a building that had hidden cameras in the ceiling and behind mirrors. She would occasionally stop on a stairwell to check her hair and clothing in the mirror. Later in a conversation with her boss, he said something in passing about her stopping on that landing. She shuddered to think someone had been watching her. How does that affect your behavior? What do you do when you think no one is around to see?
The observer effect is beneficial for us when we, for instance, go to the gym to work out. Everyone in the gym will see us, compelling us to continue to go to the gym, work out and even update our exercise attire. Having a coach to keep us on track while adopting new dietary habits or joining a mentoring group are examples of corporate encouragement and assist us to stay on track.
Conversely, the observer effect may influence our motives to purposely do something to be seen, in order to receive honor and praise from others. As women of faith, our only motive is to please God. There are harsh words in the Bible for someone who only wants the praise of men. If our behavior is predicated on this, then that will be our only reward. When we give and others don’t know who the donor is, we are giving with a different motive. We are told to give in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
We are women of faith and we know that The God who sees, El Roi, is watching us. When we lead our lives to please our heavenly (spiritual) Father through Jesus the Messiah, we honor Him. He sees us and rewards us openly. Whatever your circumstance today, remember God hears and sees you and your reward is on the way.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6: 1-4 (ESV)
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
For more on the observer effect see: