⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.

“The whole world is watching! The whole world is watching!” This was the chant heard ‘round the world via televised coverage of the 1968 Democratic Party Convention. People watched on their TVs as Chicago police waded into a crowd of Viet Nam protesters with clubs swinging and tear gas spraying.

“Never let them see you sweat.” Another phrased learned via television: this one the creation of an advertising agency selling deodorant, the point being you can be confident in the condition of your armpits no matter how nervous you may be.

I’m not making any sociopolitical statements here – about protesters, politics, police or pit sweat. I’m just putting two cultural sayings together, in juxtaposition to Paul’s admonition from Philippians, to make a point about our witness as followers of Jesus Christ.

1. The whole world is watching. People know Who we stand for. We need to stay aware always of what we say and how we conduct ourselves. This isn’t about faking it until we make it (another cultural phrase). It is important that we grow in Christ and exhibit that walk to give others hope. Let the world see us rejoice in the Lord despite the hardships and challenges we face.
2. Never let them see us sweat. The reality of our situation is that God is sovereign over everything. Everything. And in Jesus we have confidence. In His very Being we find the boldness we need to face the world and all it brings.
3. Remember… the whole world is watching. Never let them see you sweat! Be truly confident in the Lord. He is our Sovereign Holy Father. Stay connected to Him always!!