The Watchman's Diary

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place”. (Matt 23:32-34)

There are times I get so tunnel-visioned that I miss all the things God sets in place for me along this faith journey. Other times I get stuck staring in the mirror either admiring or critiquing what I see staring back at me that I miss what is happening behind me and even behind the mirror.

Not everyone takes an interest in prophecy and what is happening around the world, and that’s ok but if we get stuck staring at the moment we can miss the larger picture. God is personal and tends to our individual needs but there are many individuals and each of us gets His full attention. He is not tunnel-visioned by any sense of the word, but sets in place the big picture and wants us to know His plans; not just for each but for all.

That said; I have some breaking news.

America is not the center of the world and as much as we may glorify ourselves it is still not the glorious land! Before you get upset, stop and think a minute. Yes, this country and others have been blessed tremendously but like so many nations before us those blessings last only as long as our faithfulness in God. Furthermore, blessing is not just wrapped up in material prosperity because even the “wicked prosper” (Job 21:7) and “increase in riches” (Psalm 73:3). The measure of our blessings is not how well the stock market is doing or the height of the buildings we build; it is our faithfulness to God.

Christians! Open your eyes and ears and pay attention! The current presidential race is a distraction, reality TV is a distraction, attempts to boycott Israel is a futile distraction, marriage equality and gay rights is a distraction, the top story in the news is simply a distraction. Should we keep an eye on most of what’s going? Yes! We must be watchful at all times but don’t get lost in these things which are things of the world.

This is not a call to worry or to be afraid. It is not a message of despair or gloom. I am simply imploring each of us, myself included, to focus. Focus on the things of God and get back to believing in His word. There is work still to be done. God has said His word does not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11), therefore, we know that prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. We Christians do not run and hide at the fulfillment of prophecy, we rejoice. We do not bury our heads in the sand when we see signs of the times. The faithful servants are ready to meet their master for they wait in confident expectation knowing they stayed awake caring for all that was left in their care.

While we are busy trying to think through the things that are happening, God is calling us to pray through them. The world is in a quandary and we must pray earnestly not just for our own circumstances or the things happening next door. The things happening and the things to come are no longer just regional, they are global and we Christians are called to pray earnestly.

The enemy is busy trying to preempt what God is about to do. He has released death and destruction, hate, fear, and all kinds of unrest in the world but we know the end of the story; we have read the end of the book and it’s time we act as if we do. It’s time we get focused!