I did have a startling thought last night while I worshiped. My seat was right next to my Supervisor (and friend) and all of a sudden I thought "I wonder if she is encouraged and not at all surprised by my worship or is she thinking I'm two-faced?"
Let me be clear... I do not preach one thing and live the exact opposite. But I also am aware that because she sees me every day she gets a front row seat to all sides of me. My reactions when I'm stressed, annoyed by people, in a bad mood, when I get caught up in gossip and mouthing about others. Does she see me as a Christian who still battles the flesh or does she see me as a hypocrite? What about everyone else who knows me? What do they see? Coworkers, friends, family....
Then I started to think how to combat that and fix the things I've already established. How do I reverse any of the "un-christian" things I've said or done? God said this... You can't, but you can pick up from now and make the next choice/word/action/thought good. Yes... that's exactly what I can do! What I will do! Be intentional & deliberate about what flows out of me and quick to repent when I need to.