Have you ever heard of the spiritual practice of watchfulness? This discipline is a call to active attentiveness to God’s activity and presence in our lives and in our world. By staying alert and awake, we are able to focus on what God is saying to us today and not fall into anxious speculation about an unknown tomorrow. Who seriously doesn’t need that right now?

A lot of Christians focus their attention on the promise and anticipation of Jesus’ Second Coming. People can get very overwhelmed with needing to know what the signs will be. They ask what the timing of it will be? How will we know it’s about to happen? Are we indeed living in the End Times right now? How do we know?

But what we really should be asking is how can we be ready? Our time and attention is better served by observing where is God acting in the “here and now” as we wait for the “there and then”.

And so we are invited to faithfully wait and watch. These beautiful words from Jeremiah explain our duty as watchmen:

Jeremiah 6:16-18 (Common English Bible)

The Lord proclaims: Stop at the crossroads and look around; ask for the ancient paths. Where is the good way? Then walk in it and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said, “We won’t go!” Still, I have appointed watchmen to warn you. But you said, “We won’t listen!” Therefore, pay attention, nations; take notice, assembly, what is ahead of them.

Watchfulness causes us to stop.

It calls us to look around and ask questions.

It invites us to rest in the good way.

It warns us to pay attention and take notice of what is ahead of us.

Where did you see God today? Take notice, and then go share what you see with others.

Tiny Gator on a Tiny Island