In the classic book A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens briefly mentions the dirt and rust under one of the character’s fingernails. I remember reading that sentence in high school and thinking that it was such a weird thing to include. It wasn’t until later in the book that I realized his seemingly innocuous description is actually foreshadowing a major plot twist and is crucial to the storyline. What makes Dickens such a masterful writer isn’t just his ability to create these grandiose stories, but that every word he wrote mattered, even the ones that seem like unimportant fluff.

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Over and over again Scripture shows us that our words and thoughts matter. The Lord cares for every last detail about us, through every action, word, or thought. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people” (CSB). I’m not a Greek scholar, but from what I understand, the phrase “whatever you do” doesn’t just apply to physical activities but any activity—whether high-status or menial, manual labor or intellectual projects, routine chores or creative endeavors. This is saying that no matter what we’re doing we should approach it as something we’re doing solely for the Lord, and not for anyone else.

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This idea that the Lord is our “audience of one” isn’t a new concept, but one I think can be a continual struggle, even for seasoned believers. Our culture has programmed us to believe that if we’re not “successful” in our jobs by continuing to get promotions, bonuses, or recognition, then we’re not doing enough. If you’re a stay-at-home mom like I am, it’s easy to believe we’re failing by comparing ourselves to Instagram moms who always have the best-behaved kids, a perfectly clean house, and the next up-and-coming item that’s going to make a huge difference in raising model children (insert sarcasm).  

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We need daily, practical reminders to keep our eyes on the right audience. I attended a Bible study in high school, and we would always leave an empty chair out “for Jesus.” I think part of the intention was that if anyone showed up late, they wouldn’t feel excluded, but then we would always pull up another empty chair. It was a good reminder for our group of immature teenagers that we weren’t alone in our conversation, that the Lord was always present with us.

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Our lives might not ever be as famous as Charles Dickens or his books, but our words and thoughts are deeply precious to the Lord. Like Dickens placing meaning in the rust under a fingernail, God places infinite value on the hidden, quiet obedience of folding laundry, answering an email with kindness, or arresting a bitter thought before it leaves our mouths.

Who is your audience? When you’re at work or at home, who are you trying to impress? If you think about where your focus is on a daily basis, who or what is it focused on?

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Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you today. Forgive me for the moments I seek the praise of others or measure my worth by comparing myself to those around me. Remind me that you are in the room, sitting in the empty chair beside me. Whether I am doing manual labor, creative work, or managing the chaos of my home, let me do it entirely for you. Thank you that every hidden detail of my day matters to you. You are my rock, my redeemer, and my only audience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.