Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president

Have you seen some funny or embarrassing things while on a teleconference this year?

Many of us have had to attend many meetings this last year on Zoom, Teams or another teleconference program.

During that time, we have learned to use the mute button on the computer, or not.

We also learned how to remind people that they are muted as at times they begin talking without being heard, or to use the mute button because they are being heard unintentionally.

I have heard entire conversation take place when people were not muted. I have seen people eating breakfast while in meetings because they forgot to turn off their camera. Many stories could be told of things that have happened on these meetings when people think they are not being watched or listened to. Some are far more embarrassing than a bit of milk dribbling down the chin from a bowl of cereal.

It reminds me of a quote that my grade schoolteacher used to recite to me regularly it seemed when I had caught breaking some school rule: “Be sure your sins will find you out.” She would say right before handing down what ever punishment she felt was needed.

For me as a student it seemed that she was always listening to me or watching me.

There was no way to mute my microphone or to turn off my camera. Later in life I realized that she was quoting Numbers 32:23. Either way I realized that no matter what I tried to get away with she found out it seemed.

In our walk on this earth, we also have the reminder from Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:14 where he says, “For God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

That text was also used at times to remind me that God’s sees everything and records everything. At times that was more of a fear tactic than one of encouragement. However, the verse right before this points out really what God desires. It says that God wants us to “Fear God and keep his commandments.”

Jesus said it a bit differently when he said, “If you love me keep my commandments.”

You see while it is true that the cameras and microphones are always on as we walk this earth, it is also true that as we walk in love with Jesus that we have nothing to worry about regarding what the world sees and hears from us.

As we walk with Jesus, we can simply reflect Jesus to the world. As people see us walk with Jesus, they will realize that we are simply wanting others to see and walk with Jesus as well. So, let the cameras record and let the microphones stay on as we faithfully walk with Jesus each day.