Wednesday December 8, 2021

Today is Wednesday, December 8 and during this second week of Advent we explore what the Bible says about watchfulness.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply, and focus my mind on the presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me and watching over me. You know all things and you know what is best for me. Reveal the message you have for me today through the power of your Holy Spirit. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

In praise God for his faithfulness and celebrate his watchfulness with the words of Psalm 145.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:18-21

Pause and Pray

The month of December is the darkest time of the calendar year. The days are short as the sun sets early in the evening. Darkness arrives promptly and lingers through the long night. During Advent, we light candles on an Advent wreath. The first week we begin with a wreath that is completely dark, empty and silent. What a powerful symbol to represent our spiritual emptiness and the grim darkness of our troubled world. We long for something more. We long for the light of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the light that overcomes all darkness. In Mark 13, Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives and answers the question of Peter, James, John and Andrew regarding the end times.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:32-37

Jesus is clear, he is coming to set the world right. He is coming to set my life right and my heart right. The master puts servants in charge and tells them to stand at the door and keep watch. What does it mean for me to be on guard and stay alert spiritually? I recognize the times I feel apathetic about my faith life and fall into a state of complacency. I recall times when I was not on guard against temptation, but surprised by its lure. I consider myself to be a servant of Jesus Christ. Jesus has put me in charge, I have my assigned tasks and I keep watch. I wonder when Jesus will return. I wonder when the Holy Spirit will intervene in my circumstances. I wonder when God will answer my prayers. I consider what it means to be “sleeping” – and ask myself if I am spiritually awake or perhaps persisting in a state of spiritual slumber.

Ask: Am I actively progressing in the spiritual life or have I become complacent? Do I long for Jesus to come into my life, or am I in a season of apathy?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I wait in the darkness and long for your light to shine. I stand at the door and keep watch, preparing myself for your coming, tending to my assigned duties, fulfilling my purpose in life and looking for signs of your presence at work in this world. Give me grace to wait patiently through the hours of the dark night until you bring the promised light. I read your words in Mark again, listening for the message you have for me today.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:32-37

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I ponder how this word of scripture applies to my current life. I reflect on how these words might apply to my future. What are the next steps the Holy Spirit has for me in my spiritual journey? What does God want me to do to progress in Christian maturity? How do I experience being spiritually alert, on guard, or keeping watch? What does that look like for me? On the other hand, how do I experience being spiritually asleep? How have I let down my guard and what have I consequently missed in the life of faith? What corrections might God want me to make as I take my next steps? When I drift off into a state of complacent slumber, how do I wake myself up?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, teach me to stay spiritually awake despite the beckoning lull of the surrounding darkness. Bring your light of joy and peace into my life anew. Shine your light on my path, ensuring that I walk the way you want me to go and help me be on guard against all things that are not of you. Amen.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.” Luke 12:35-37a

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I am awakened by the power of the Holy Spirit and watch for opportunities to bless the lives of others. Amen.