“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” – Ezekiel 33:7 I was on a rush hour train in the morning yesterday and heard the collapse of a commuter while the train was stalled in between stations through my not-noise-canceling white apple headphones. Here was the biggest problem with all that– nobody did anything about this lady collapsing. Nobody got up, nobody stirred, nobody hailed the conductor. They all just stood there dumb faced with mouths gaping. After a while, because time seems to freeze when the pressure mounts, I decided it would have to be me to do anything helpful. I’m no hero, but I’m not going to heartless allow this woman, who now was in my purview just lie on the subway car floor with no medical attention. I used the emergency telecom and buzzed the conductor. Yes, I caused the train delays yesterday. But not for long, I had walked the person onto the platform and handed her off to a few police officers. I did this because I am a watchman. You too are a watchman (or watch-woman). I didn’t do this because I have some godforsaken savior complex. I did this because it was my duty, being called to do something when time came for a response. You probably would have done the same thing given the circumstances. I mean, anybody with half a blacken soul would have done the same; it is the humane thing to do. Sure, we act when we are called upon to respond to a physical emergency, but what about a spiritual one? Are we watchmen when it comes to the souls and spirits of those around us? Do we speak into the lives of others as God would have ordained us to, or do we idly stand by, watching them? When was the last time we spoke with the conviction that shows that we are integrally part of another person’s life for a reason and purpose beyond our own self-interest and ends? It’s something God tells the prophet Ezekiel about. In fact, God says that we are accountable to speak into the lives of the people around whether or not they want to hear it. You do want to do it tactfully, but you also want to be loud enough to be heard over the noise in their lives. If you had no other purpose or nothing more to add to a friendship or any relationship for that matter, this is it. Your unique insight, your vision, your morality, faith and way of life are the tools you have in speaking to others about their lives. We are watching over them, as others have been placed to watch over us. God is speaking loudly and clearly into our hearts and we need to respond, others need to know. You are called to be a watchman in your relationships, so go watch for God moving and share with people who you are given to watch over. What do you see coming?
