The Bodyguard

I was in the mall today, having an early dinner with a friend, when I saw a brother in Christ from our church walking just outside the glass panel of the restaurant.  He is a head of security of a congressman who just happened to be there also in the mall.  I was waving at him to say hello, but he was so engrossed in his role, or work, as security for the congressman that he either did not see me, or if he did he could not afford to be distracted.  I admired his focus, his attention and discipline during that moment.  I’m sure when I see him on Sunday he will be the usual accommodating and friendly brother he is.  But while at work, he was fixed on doing what he was called to do.

I remember another brother in Christ, now a Minister of the Gospel, but many years back was a close-in security of a political figure.  I was told that when he was with other Christians he was friendly and would fellowship, but when he was at work guarding his boss he would not leave his post, or even talk to anyone who approached him.  Talk about alertness and commitment to his work.

This should remind us of the same commitment and alertness we show to the Lord and to the life He desires us to live.  Many times in the New Testament God’s Word reminds us to be alert at all times.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6  You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6  So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

Have you ever seen a security guard asleep?  Christians are not supposed to be that way.  We are to be alert, not allowing anything in the world to distract us, and so self-controlled that no matter what may catch our eye we keep our eyes on the Lord!

And just like a bodyguard knows that the person he is guarding may have enemies ready to pounce on him, we, as Christians, need to be alert at all times knowing we, too, have an enemy.

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

We shouldn’t be walking in this world unaware that we have an enemy who is ready to pounce on us and attack us.  We should be self-controlled and alert, standing firm in the faith always.

Spiritually we are to be bodyguards to ourselves, our Christian lives, guarding our heart that has been bought and saved by our Savior.  Standing firm, alert, not allowing anyone or anything to distract us.