The Front Watchman

It was a gorgeous morning so I went for a run. Please don’t get the wrong picture of me. I’m a recreational runner, not a marathon runner. I just love to get outside and enjoy the sense of freedom and peace as I run.

This particular morning, I was making my way back home when I eyed a bike club approaching me. Ok, so I’m not talking about 2 or 3 bicyclists, we’re talking 30-40 men pedaling hard, helmets and sunglasses on, bodies hunched forward, coming right at me. I’m saying, if there was a car needing to use the roadway, it couldn’t, that’s the size of this club. And they’re intentional in their cause to get to their destination. You don’t want to mess around with these dudes.

I begin to veer to the left of the road’s shoulder, thinking if I don’t move they’ll hit me! Then all of a sudden out of the quietness of the morning (except for the whirling sound of all their approaching tires) I hear ‘Runner On!’ and then another voice yell, ‘Runner On!’ and this continued as they methodically and smoothly transitioned around and past me. It was the coolest thing.

What began for me as an anxious moment became a trusting experience.  As soon as I heard the lead biker yell out ‘Runner On’ my entire pace relaxed. I was no longer in fear of them hitting me and it was actually exhilarating to have experienced this.

So if a biker, who doesn’t know me, is watching out for my safety, how much more is my Heavenly Father watching out for me? I am so glad that the lead watchman in this bicycle club was doing his job of watching. I am so glad that his second and third in command responded as well.

Our Heavenly Father does the same thing. He is our Front Watchman. ‘The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.’  (2 Chronicles 16:9a) Nothing is hidden from God’s sight.

God knows about our loneliness and heartaches. He knows about our fears and anxious moments. If you’re struggling today, please look to our Father in Heaven for guidance.  If you trust in Him to help you through whatever you are facing this day; if you trust that He can be your Front Watchman, then you’ll look back and say the same thing I did once the bikers rode past me—‘it was the coolest thing.’

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father of all creation, thank you for loving us and watching over us. Thank you that You are our Front Watchman who opens and closes gates; help us to listen like sheep who listen for their Shepherd’s voice, knowing that You have only good intentions towards us. We praise You today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Until next time~
Blessings, Nancy