April 2023
One of the perks I had as a student, was that because my father worked for the Algoma Steel Corporation, it meant I could have a summer job at the Company. Yes, the money was good, however, I was assigned jobs, which I think the leadership saved up to teach us to stay in school and not even think about quitting and being hired full time.
One night, when I was working the graveyard shift, I was assigned to be a “watchman”. I was to sit in a control booth and watch rails coming out of the furnace, as they made their way to a cooling area via an assembly line. If a rail was crooked, I could realign it. It was the most boring job in all of Algoma Steel.
Around 3 am, I fell asleep and was rudely woken by the foreman as he yelled at me. Rails had become crooked and were starting to pile up. I was reassigned quickly to another job leadership had been saving for a naïve student.
On my watch, I had really messed up.
I have really valued this period of Lent. Denise and I had a gift of a retreat in Kona and I have journaled lots, worked through a couple of books and written what I believe the Spirit is saying to me.
Here are a three which I share with you.
In Ezekiel 33, we read about God appointing Ezekiel to a very sobering task, that of being a spiritual watchman. During this period of Lent, I have been reflecting on what God is asking of myself as a watchman, given all that Jesus has done for me at the cross.
I also am so grateful for verses like Psalm 33:18
“For the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love."
May you remember you are on God’s watch and nothing will happen that is not allowed by your Watchman. Reflect on what/who has God assigned to you, to be a watch person over? Know He always equips when He assigns!
In John Mark Comer’s book, Live No Lies, he writes that we are the only creatures who have the capacity to imagine what isn’t and then believe it to be true. Our enemy is the father of lies and this is where he attacks us. I have journaled what lies, I have focused on which keep surfacing and beside each a verse which is God’s response and the armor I need to use against these obsessive thoughts. You might want to do the same, for it is only coming face to face with what is real (the truth) before God, that we find peace. Trust Jesus as your Rabbi, the “truth teller.”
I am seeking to understand the culture we are living in and how it has changed from when I was young. I want to be informed on how to engage with those God brings across my path, like the retired Marine Biologist I sat beside on the plane back from Kona for over 5 hours. We had a fascinating discussion.
Author Theo Hobson sums up what people are calling progress.
"What was universally condemned was celebrated.
What was universally celebrated is now condemned.
Those who refuse to celebrate are condemned.”
In some areas, I would agree that progress has been made. However, in other situations what society calls progress, God has a radically different view. We need to be wise and seek Jesus’ wisdom on the moral issues of our day.
As I continue to share with you in these devotionals, I will add my thoughts on what I am learning and value your feedback. I truly want to be a faithful watchman.
We have just entered Holy Week, and may you know that you are on God’s watch, know the lies, which the enemy wants you to believe are reality and see what Jesus accomplished at the cross is especially for you.
He is risen!
