Who wants to be shut out like the foolish virgins? Who wants to miss out on anything? Who wants to get whacked in the head before he or she realises it? Who wants to get kidnapped in a bustling crowd? Who wants to be cheated? Watchfulness and alertness better described as attentiveness are critical in our lives, especially in the spiritual sphere. These two features don’t just help to guard us against dangers but also enable us to be in the appropriate state to hear God speak to us, deal with challenging situations as well as embrace and utilise opportunities that come our way. Most importantly, in this time of insecurity in our country, we all need to stay alert and be with Jesus at all times. BETTY AMUKPO takes on some children on this subject.
‘I should be watchful and alert for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’
Watchful means being careful to notice what is happening .Alert means being always watchful and ready to notice any strange or unusual things. I should be watchful and at alert for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is necessary because if I am watchful and l will be able to keep awake not fall asleep because of danger of enemies; not to lose my focus in the things of God and be distracted by the things of the world or flesh. 1 Peter: 5- 8, Matt. 7:15, 1 Thess.5:1-11, Mk.13. Because Paul’s point in saying that Jesus will come like a thief in the night is to emphasise how those outside of Christ will be caught off guard. But for those watching for Christ’s return it will not be a great surprise. Because we are not “asleep”, like the world we need to be alert. Like the five wise virgins not like the five foolish virgins who did not have oil in their lamps when the bride groom came. I pray for God’s grace to help me always do the will of God, keep His commandments and do good to others, to save my soul because nobody knows when the hour will come.
• Anyasor Chibuike
‘We need to keep watch so that if the Lord were to return this very hour we are ready to meet Him’
Being watchful involves being aware of the devil’s schemes and potential traps, staying alert and constantly vigilant. The foolish virgins were not prepared and their oil ran out. We need to keep watch and be careful, so that if the Lord were to return this very hour we are ready and will not be ashamed or embarrassed to meet Him. Ps.127: 1 says “Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
• Awaki Barnabas
‘We need to be watchful and be at alert so as not to fall into temptation’
We need to be watchful and be at alert so as not to fall into temptation. We need to be watchful and be at alert so that when Jesus comes He will find us worthy of the kingdom of heaven. Bible passages related to this topic are: 1 Cor.10:12, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Cor.16:13 and Matt.26:41
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
‘I have to be watchful and be at alert because there is evil everywhere and I don’t want to get caught by them’
The book of Matt. 26:41 says: “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” I need to be watchful and be at alert because evil and temptation are around us and may bring down my spiritual life. I want the Lord to continue to dwell in me so that I will not miss His Glory in my life. Also, my mummy told me that we are created weak and we are easy to be tempted into evil and I don’t want to follow the devil’s way of life. I have to be watchful and be at alert because there is evil everywhere and I don’t want to get caught by them. That is why I am watchful, alert and most importantly, I am prayerful.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘Unless I’m alert, I will always tend to drift from Jesus’
Being watchful means staying alert and constantly vigilant. I must be alert because of the opportunities God has for me. I must also be alert because I know my own heart and unless I’m alert, I will always tend to drift from Jesus. I must even pay more attention to what I have heard so that I will not drift away (Heb.2:1)
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘Being watchful and staying alert always is to be on the lookout especially for dangers’
Being watchful and staying alert always is to be on the lookout especially for dangers. As a Christian we have to be watchful at all times because the devil is only interested in stealing from those who are precious and important to the creator of the whole universe, that is, you and me. As a Child of God I should be vigilant and keep my mind at alert from the attacks of the devil and fill myself with spiritual word/manna. Matt 26:41 says watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.
• Anita Chima
‘We need to be alert because we do not know when our master Jesus is coming to takes us home’
We need to be watchful and be at alert because the devil is on the parole to deceive the children of God in order that we may lose our eternal inheritance (heaven). Lk.21: 34-38. We also need to be alert because we do not know when our master Jesus is coming to takes us home. So in order not to be caught unawares and unprepared, we need to always be on our guard. Mk.13:32-37.
• Victoria Okefe
‘We must be alert because of the opportunities God has put in our path’
Be watchful, vigilant, wide-awake, and alert is to be on the lookout, especially for danger or good opportunity. We must be alert because of the opportunities God has put in our paths. We must also be alert because we know our own hearts, and unless we are alert, we will always tend to drift from Jesus: “We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away (Heb. 2:1). St. Paul also advised us to be watchful in prayer. St. Peter instructs Christians to be alert for their enemy the devil prowls around seeking whom he might devour. St. Paul also says we have to be watchful, so the day of the coming of the Lord Jesus doesn’t take us by surprise.1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be watchful and alert, stand – for you can stand, – in the faith alone, without our help; be brave, and master yourselves. Then you will have nothing to fear.
• Okononfua Bryan
