Monday September 3rd Ezekiel

Ezekiel 33:1,6-7
The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, speak to your country men …if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.'  "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Acts 20: 27-29
For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.  Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.  I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

I believe that God has made each of us watchmen (or watchwomen if you prefer).  We have been entrusted with the truth of God's word.  The Holy Spirit has revealed to us God's grace, mercy, love, protection, comfort, glory, forgiveness, peace, justice and His Holiness.  We have experienced God and should be living our lives each day for God.  We are called to let the truth that has been made know to us and that we have experienced live through us so that others may see it and be drawn to it and be "lit" (enlightened) to the truth as well.

Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

We are watchmen, we are light.  What happens if it is completely dark outside and nobody around us has a light?  They are just wandering around in that darkness.  We, however, have the light.  The light we have is so bright and it can reveal to those around us that they are walking straight towards a deep pit that will cause their death.  Would you hide your light and allow them to fall and die?  Of course not, we would shine the light and tell them of what we see.  Whether they listen or not is not our responsibility but to speak up as the watchman with the light is what we are called to be.

There are many around us who live life in complete darkness.  We are charged to be watchmen of those who live in our paths.  We are to let the light of Christ shine through us, to light that path and to share with those around us the word that God has revealed to us (the story of God's love, mercy and grace). 

How faithful are we at letting our light shine?  Does it shine always?  Does it shine when you are wronged?  Does it shine when you are offended?  Does it shine when you are in pain or hurting? Does it shine brightly or dimly each day?  How good do you do at watching out for the lives of others?  Are you distracted by your own life, too busy to be keeping watch over anyone else?  Are you afraid of offending others that you put your light on a dimmer switch that you lower when you are around those who don't know the Lord?

God tells Ezekiel that as the watchman he will be accountable for the lives of those who perish who he does not speak the truth to.  If he speaks and they do not listen he is not accountable but if he say nothing, if he turn a blind eye, if he hides the light then he will have to give an account for why.  We too have been called to keep watch and so we too have this same responsibility.

So the question now becomes: Who has God called you to be a watchman over?  Who needs to see your light shine?  We know that everyone should but God also puts people in our paths for the specific purpose of having our light shine before them.

Maybe it is your neighbors?  Staying in your house and never getting to know them is hiding your light.  Maybe your co-workers?  Unless you leave the cubical and engage them you will always have a wall up prevent you from watching what God has called you to.  Maybe your family is the flock you need to watch over?  It can be very easy to let busyness and distractions prevent you from letting the light of Christ shine in your each and every day, a light that should be helping to lead them to Christ not away from.

The list can go on.

It would be a very good idea if both you and I were to take a few moments and truly think about this.  We have been called to be watchman with the light.  Every day we should be in prayer that God would allow us to let the light shine brightly so that we too can see clearly who it is that God is calling us to speak out to and to share his love with.  We need to honestly see if at times we are hiding our light (sometimes we could do it without intention). 

We are watchman with the light.  Let's start shining brightly into the lives of those around with the love and grace that causes that light to burn.