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The Fishbowl, My Friend

Why living on display isn't the worst thing ever.

As a young pastor I hated the "fishbowl effect" of ministry. You know—that feeling that everyone's watching you, and that your mistakes count more. It seemed unfair to my young mind that my personal shortcomings (which would never be an issue in terms of most people's employment) could lose me my job, my reputation, and my community.

Maybe the reason it bothered me so much was that I had such a surplus of those shortcomings.

But through years of living in the unfailing eye of critics and cranks (along with cheerleaders and encouragers!) I've come to see the fishbowl in a slightly different light.

Now the fishbowl is my friend.

Think not to lie hid

Richard Baxter, a Puritan pastor who lived in the 1600's spoke of pastoral life this way:

"While you are as lights set upon a hill, think not to lie hid. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and do your work as those that remember that the world looks on them, and that with the quick-sighted eye of malice, ready to make the worst of all, to find ...
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