Everything we do, even if nobody sees us, is being watched and recorded on “camera” by God. And our conscience, the part of us that makes us feel guilty if we did something we shouldn’t have, is a positive thing. It is God’s loving way of reminding us that He knows what we did, and He knows that we’ll feel better and become better by coming clean and putting things right.

This week’s portion teaches us about some of the ways that a person living in the times of the Tabernacle could correct the mistakes he made, even those only he and God were aware of. Today, the way to do this is to realize that we’re always “being filmed” and let that motivate us to do our best to act in a way that will make ourselves and God proud.

In our story, a kid sees how her life changes once she realizes the camera’s rolling.

The Movie Star

You’d think it was a different class. I had never seen everyone looking as good, and behaving as well. Everybody was tucked in and sitting up straight. The noisy kids in the back row (who usually spent the whole class whispering and giggling) were paying attention, as quiet as mice. Even Becky, the class clown, put her antics on hold. What was the cause of this miraculous turnabout?

It was all because of the woman standing quietly in the corner of the classroom, or I should say, because of the video camera she was pointing our way. A movie of our school was being made to show at the annual banquet and everybody, from our parents to the principal, would be watching. Naturally, none of us wanted to be caught on film at any less than our very best.

But soon enough the lunch bell rang and everyone poured out of the classroom, relieved that the show we performed was finally over.

“I bet you’d like it if the camerawoman was here all the time?” I quipped to Mrs. Mark, our teacher, on the way out.

I thought she would just laugh, but instead she gave me a thoughtful look and said, “Tammy, we are always on camera, it’s just that the camera is usually hidden.”

What? Were there hidden video monitors in the classrooms?

She explained: “God is watching us all the time, and taking pictures of whatever we do. He’s recording our every word too. If people would only realize it, they would act a lot differently.”

I never quite thought of it that way, and deep down I knew she was right. But soon enough the thought slipped out of my head as I joined the rest of the kids in the cafeteria.

“Oh no,” I thought, looking at the huge line. I was really hungry, and it was going to take forever to get through.

Just then, I heard someone whisper my name. “Psst, Tammy! Come cut in behind me. Quick, while nobody’s looking.”

It was my friend Amy. “Great.” I slipped into the line, and sure enough no one noticed. There was a strict rule that nobody was allowed to cut into line or save places for anyone else. It made sense; if not, people would always be pushing and fighting. But still, if you could get away with it, why not?

We started to chat. “That was some class today, huh Tammy?” Amy said. “It’s hard to be on camera. I couldn’t wait to get out of there and be myself again.”

I nodded and smiled, but something inside didn’t feel right. I thought about the teacher’s words, “We’re always on camera …” Did that mean I had just been videoed sneaking into line? That certainly wasn’t a movie I’d want anybody to see. We moved forward, and I felt a little guilty as I thought about the ‘hidden camera’ still running.

“Why so quiet, Tam?” asked my friend. “Anyway, did you hear what Jan did yesterday? You know, she…”

I perked up my ears. Amy always had the juiciest gossip. But then I thought, “…and He’s recording our every word too…” Was this gossip session also going to be part of the tape? I squirmed. How could I explain to my friend that the video camera was still running?

“You’re never going to believe what she did…”

I had to act fast. “You know what Amy, I realize I forgot something,” I mumbled as I pulled myself out of line.

Amy protested. “But Tammy, can’t it wait a few minutes? We’re almost at the front of the line and you haven’t even heard the story yet.”

“Sorry, gotta go!” I zoomed out and went straight to the back of the line where I really belonged.

You know, the wait didn’t even seem so long. In fact, I enjoyed every minute of it as I felt the camera rolling, and making the kind of film that someday, both God and I would enjoy seeing.