Watch!

“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

This verse could be interpreted as though we need to be always watching the signs of our times, and many believers are glued to the news and their online feeds doing just that. But we need to look at the word “watch” and see what it literally means in the original translation, the Greek.

It is the word, “Agrupneo” which means to be sleepless, or spiritually alert and awake. Just two verses before, it is used again, but with a focus on the watchfulness being towards our own state of heart. The old English translation says it this way…  “Take heed to yourself, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and cares of this life, and that Day (Christ’s return) comes upon you unexpectedly” (Luke 21:34).

As we watch prophecy unfold through our news and world events, may we be mindful to check our own state of heart. Are we living in a way that is light in a dark world, and salt to a decaying culture? Are we pointing others to Christ? Scripture warns us to not disengage and distract ourselves with “the next fun thing,” but to stay watchful, prepared, prayerful, and purposeful.

These are amazing days to be alive! When He comes may He find us watching for Him AND watching our own spiritual development, that we may be found faithful and worthy.

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)