We all spend time watching.  It can take many forms.  From watching children at play, a ballet, sporting event, or something on television.  To watch requires time and a desire to see something that is happening or on going. 

     In the Gospels and the Epistles, we are encouraged to watch or to be watching.  Not to watch with a kind of spiritual voyeurism, but with an alertness.  To watch, requires intentional movement on our part.  We need to adopt an attitude of vigilance and diligence, just as a military guard on patrol is looking for anything that signals movement from the other.

     Jesus, asked his disciples to watch and pray.  To pay attention, not to be half hearted, or lazy while praying.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to take this same watchful stance while interceding and praying for others.

     As I said before, at one level or another we each watch.  But where we fall short is in or ability to watch for the movement of God in our lives, the lives of others and in our world.  We tend to go through our day almost as if we have blinders on, to God’s presence.  We need to develop our vision beyond 20-20, and take the position of that guard on patrol, and be ready and waiting for the movement of the other.

     To develop our vision beyond 20-20, is to learn to be sensitive with our whole person. This includes our mind, heart, body and soul.  This requires spending time in prayer, asking God to make us sensitive to who he is, to others, and the world.  It means spending time in the Word, to let it inform and transform us into Christ’s likeness.  Lastly, by faith and in the power of the Spirit, we are to begin to watch. 

    Perhaps our times of alertness will at first be in small increments, but we need to begin to watch and notice.  Our abilities to extend that alertness will come as we praise and give glory to God for what he is showing us.

     What do you watch now?  How will you become more diligent and alert?

Picture: Watching the Beauty, masoumi