Red Flag

During our vacation in Cancun, the weather was balmy, but the wind was strong and relentless.  Everyday we would look out on the Caribbean, and notice that the winds churned the blue water into frothy white, powerful waves.  It was the responsibility of the Salvavidas (lifeguards), to determine the intensity of the waves, and warn potential swimmers of danger. To visually enforce the warning, flags were placed in the sand; green = Safe; yellow = Caution,  and red = extreme danger.  I paid attention, confident that the Salvavidas knew, from experience, what they were talking about.  You’d think that everyone would steer clear, but NO, into the raging surf many of them went.   Amidst frenzied shouts of warning and blaring whistles, lifeguards ran to the water‘s edge. This scenario played out day after day, despite those prominently displayed red flags .

 In ancient times, God set up a similar warning system. Many of the cities were built with fortified walls around them, and on these walls men were assigned to be Watchmen.  If, during their shift, they saw any danger approaching, it was their duty to sound the alarm.  All those inside the walls knew they had to take cover, or head for safety.  Even way back then, there were still some folks who thought it might be fun to risk the danger, and jump into the fray.  The watchmen did not take their assignment lightly, in fact if they did not sound the alarm, or ran away, the responsibility was theirs, as was the punishment; death.  That should have been enough to make people take heed, but we know from historical reports, some didn’t.

 Fast forward thousands of years, and God still has watchmen on the wall;  all of us, every Christian man and woman, and our job is to set up those red flags, warning both fellow believers, and unbelievers, of potentially, spiritually lethal situations. Some will say, “that’s not my job, people will think I’m interfering in their lives.”  Suppose I’m riding in the passenger seat, and glimpse a fast approaching semi, one the driver can‘t see. Do I risk being called a backseat driver, or save our lives by making the driver aware?  I think the answer is obvious.  While people may not like hearing the warning, the end will justify the means. I posted watchmen over you who said, 'Listen for the sound of the alarm.' But you replied, 'No! We won't pay attention!' Jeremiah 6:17.  If they don’t take heed, don’t worry, you have still done the work of a watchman.  “They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives.” Ezekiel 33:5.