Wednesday 10 April 2019

You are the Watchmen (Watchwomen) - Lent 33

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Christians have an interesting habit of shifting responsibility onto the so-called "professional pastors", but the Bible reminds us that we ALL have the task of being part of the body of Christ - we have our gifts and we need to use them. In the same way, Ezekiel is reminded that he is to be a watchman for the people and that he needs to fulfil this task with integrity and seriousness. Listen to the word of God that came to Ezekiel:

"When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives. But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’
“Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me." - Ezekiel 33

We are to heed God's call to be the watchmen and watchwomen in our communities. We should do this out of deep love and respect for others, because we truly care for them. For me, Lent offers us the space to "call out" things in our own lives and to invite others to come back to the heart of God.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

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