Looking Down

Recently my almost-teenage son introduced me to Google Earth. It was inevitable that Caleb would surpass me in technological savvy, and this was just one more instance of him leaving me in the cyber-dust. Google Earth is a free program you can download that will "fly" you to any location on the face of the planet. In certain locations, the resolution is astonishing. For example, I was able to view our Youth Minister’s house from about 1100 feet in the air. Together, Scott and I were able to pick out missing shingles on the backside of his roof (which have since been repaired.) The neighbors cars are clearly visible in their driveways. The stagnant water in their swimming pools is green and filled with autumn’s rotting leaves.

From Ft. Wayne, I was able to "fly" to Florida to see where my long-lost brother-in-law is living. Turns out he is ensconced near the beach on a channel that leads to the Gulf of Mexico. With such an expensive piece of real estate, I guess he’s doing all right.

Such satellite imagery isn’t just for entertainment. There is more high-tech spying going on than ever before. Even the United States Department of Agriculture is in on the act. According to a recent news report, tomato farmers living in North Carolina were convicted of fraud and ordered to pay $9 million when satellite images revealed them spreading ice cubes in their fields and then hacking their tomato plants. Their goal: to mimic hail damage and collect on their crop insurance.

Yes, Virginia, there is a satellite. And it’s looking down on you.

But the technological marvels orbiting our globe aren’t the only earth-watchers peering down on us. Solomon wrote, "the eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." How is that possible? How is it that a being can see everything all the time? It would take an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing God to do that. And that is just the kind of God we serve.

The Apostle Peter, quoting Solomon’s father, David, wrote "The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil."

Simply put, what Mary Pearson taught me in the third grade really is true:

Oh be careful little eyes what you see . . .
Oh be careful little ears what you hear . . .
Oh be careful little feet where you go . . .
Oh be careful little hands what you do . . .
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you see.