Nobody's Watching

March Madness is here as the regular season ends, conference tournaments are underway, and we anticipate the NCAA Tournament next week.

What makes the “Big Dance” so intriguing every year is the combination of big programs and small schools competing against each other, which leads to upsets and Cinderella stories. 

To make the NCAA Tournament, most of these smaller schools must first win their conference tournament. So far, High Point, Northern Iowa, Tennessee State, and North Dakota State are some of the teams that have already done so.

Over the weekend, I happened to turn on two thrilling games from small-conference tournaments featuring teams I hadn’t paid any attention to all season long. I was able to catch Boston University hit a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to knock out top-seeded Navy, 73-72, in the Patriot League Championship Semifinal.

I also found myself cheering for Queens University, a small school in Charlotte, as they took down Central Arkansas in overtime to win the ASUN Championship. They punched their ticket to the Big Dance in their first year of NCAA tournament eligibility after moving up from Division II to Division I in 2022. 

I’m glad I was able to watch some of these games, but what stood out to me about both was how small the crowds were and how many empty seats there were. The attendance for Boston’s victory was 1,722, and Queens won in front of 2,066. Don’t get me wrong, that’s more people than my men’s church basketball games, but it still felt like nobody’s watching this.

It’s too bad more people weren’t there to witness these fantastic finishes, but that didn’t prevent the players from giving maximum effort and doing amazing things, even though hardly anyone was there to notice.

These small schools typically play in front of small crowds, but that doesn’t give them an excuse not to play their best. They are still representing themselves, their family, and their school. Plus, their coach is always watching, and their teammates are counting on each other.

What’s fascinating is how the smaller programs that win their conference championships will go from “nobody watching” to being in the spotlight at bigger arenas, along with the whole college basketball world tuning in to watch March Madness on TV.

These teams have been preparing all season when “nobody was watching,” as they developed, grew, and did what was right. They weren’t doing it in front of the big crowds or for the applause, but because of their love of basketball and commitment to playing hard for their school.

Now, they have an opportunity to play in front of more people, but they have to stay grounded by not worrying about the bigger crowds or playing differently because the applause is louder.

What team will rise to the occasion, and who will be this year’s Cinderella story? I can’t wait to find out!

When it comes to our own lives, how do we respond when “nobody is watching”? Does this give us an excuse to do whatever we want, or do we consistently act with integrity? 

Do we only work really hard, do good things, and give maximum effort when we know people are watching, or do we always give our all and do what’s right even if nobody notices?

Psalm 119:1-5 (NLT) says, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in His paths. You have charged us to keep Your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees!”

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) encourages us with this challenge: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

As we consider how we live when nobody is watching, we also have to ask, are we discouraged or frustrated by the small crowds or by the fact that nobody is witnessing our “buzzer beater 3”?

Do we want more people to know the good things we are doing, or do we think what we do only matters if a big crowd sees it?

Are we craving more applause, attention, and credit? 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:1-2 (NLT), “’Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.”

As followers of Jesus, God calls us to live a life of integrity and obedience, no matter where we are or who is watching. We also can’t forget that we represent Jesus, our “coach” is always watching, and our teammates are counting on us, so that should be added motivation to keep doing the right things for His glory. 

Proverbs 5:21 (NIV) explains, “For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all your paths.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) tells us, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

For some of us, God is currently preparing, growing, and developing us for “the next tournament” for His purposes, and more people may be impacted or see what we’re doing.

If God gives us that opportunity, we too have to stay grounded by not worrying about the bigger crowds or “playing differently” because the applause is louder. After all, it’s not about us, and the applause shouldn’t be for us anyway.

Matthew 5:16 (AMP) implores us to “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Today, because of our love and commitment to Jesus, let us live for the One who is always watching. Even if nobody else is watching, let us choose integrity by the power of the Holy Spirit, and when people do notice us, let them see Christ shining through us as we point all the glory to Him.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for worrying so much about being noticed, recognized, and applauded. I pray You’d keep me humble and empower me to live a life of integrity and obedience. I pray I would focus on honoring and glorifying You, no matter who else is watching. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.