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Eye-Service – Who are You Serving?

March 22, 2011 By Jean Wise

Eye-service is an interesting phrase, which refers to service performed only under inspection or the eye of an employer. 
We concentrate on our work and do our best when the boss is watching. If those in charge are present, we focus on what we need to accomplish and at least look busy. We don’t want to appear to be lazy or unappreciative of the work. If we are not working away, the boss may think we are not necessary and we may soon lose our job.
The phrase is actually biblical:
Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Colossians 3:22 (English Standard Version)

Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Ephesians 6:6 (New Living Translation)

One of the devotions I read each morning is Edward Hays’blank A Book of Wondersblank. His March 16 entry lingered with me as it pointed to a different meaning of eye-service.
“Eye service is also done by a surprisingly large number of people who are dominated by an invisible overlord, their inner-critic. This boss demands you attend to the most unimportant, even trivial task like cleaning off the speck of dust on the chair rung or straightening the picture frame that’s but a centimeter crooked. We all, to a great or less degree, are saddled with a harsh taskmaster on our own creation as our overlord.”

I know I am my own worst critic. I know I listen to that degrading negative inner talk too much- the one who uses words like “you should”, “you can’t, “You are worthless and don’t deserve…” and “it will never happen.” But never really thought of this being my overlord.
Wow, I listen as much, if not more, to this internal overlord rather than the Lord that is over me.
I give eye-service to my bruised ego and hurt feelings instead of praise and thanksgiving to the One who created me.
I never thought before to call this noisy, unkind inner critic my overlord, my boss, my supervisor.  I am giving these false voices power and control they don’t really possess.
God alone rules in my heart and He is the One I serve.
My eyes will only be on Him.
As I know His eyes never leave me.
Now that is Eye-Service!



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Comments

  1. blankJean Wise says

    March 23, 2011 at 10:10 am

    the term overlaord just stays with me and helps me realize the false power I give the inner critic. Thanks for the great comments

  2. blankPhather Phil Malmstrom says

    March 23, 2011 at 12:06 am

    Ouch! I never thought of it that way. Time to spend some reflection time on this one.

    Thank you Jean!

    Have a Blessed Day!

  3. blankKaren says

    March 23, 2011 at 12:04 am

    Oh, Jeanie, that is a wonderful way to see our “ruling” overlord. Thanks for that new perspective.

  4. blankJen says

    March 22, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Yes, just yesterday, I was listening briefly to this overlord. Thank you so much for giving it a name. Hopefully it will be even more easy to dismiss next time!

  5. blankAmy Sullivan says

    March 22, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    Eye-service. . .I’ve never heard this term before. I love posts that teach me something new! Thanks.

  6. blankGLENDA CHILDERS says

    March 22, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Good food for thought.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

  7. blankjanicejohnson says

    March 22, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Thank you for the refreshing take on service and motivation. I’m going to go fire my inner critic now. (Hugs)

  8. blankDesiray says

    March 22, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    When we are on our jobs we are to work as unto the Lord. For when we do this it pleases the Lord.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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