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Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 

Revelations 21:1-6 

Luke 12:35-50 

Be like men watching for their Lord is the theme for our reflection. Our Lord Jesus promised us in John 14 that He goes to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3), gor this reason, our theme “be like men watching for their Lord” is relevant to keep us awake and prepared for the day of the Lord.  The theme presents to us the following points:  

1. We must be watchful by doing the Will of God as times and seasons change. 
2. We must be watchful by discharging our duties as faithful stewards or servants. 
3. We must be watchful to merit the reward of salvation.

Firstly, we must be like men watching for their Lord by doing His will as times and seasons change. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that  “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” It is, for this reason, Jesus admonishes us in Luke 12:47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.” Like men watching for their Lord, God’s will must prevail in everything we do regardless of the time and season we find ourselves. Paul again makes it clear that since we are like men watching for their Lord and must do His will, “… none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.  If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:7-8). The greatest new year resolution is to make a vow that no matter the time and season God’s will shall reign supreme in your life. In every given situation you find yourself, the question is what is God’s will for my life in this situation?  

Secondly, like men watching for their Lord, we must discharge our duties as faithful stewards or servants. Whatever role or position you occupy you must be an ambassador of Christ by discharging your duties to reflect the image of Christ. If you are a religious leader, political leader, civil servant, businessman or woman you must see yourself in whatever field as a servant of God called upon by God to serve in him in that field. Let the image and example of Christ be seen in the manner you approach and serve God and humanity. Our chief motivation for service should be driven by the fear of God and the development of humanity. Let us eschew corruption and any other evil that is not worthy of a steward watching for their Lord for Jesus cautions us in Luke 12:38-40 that “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” If God has been gracious to you and grants you access into the new year then He has indeed given you another chance to repent and discharge your duties as a Christian believer and steward in whatever field of work or position you find yourself in. This includes your worship life and how dedicated you are to the Lord. For some people had it not been the end of the year, you will not find them in the house of the Lord. You are a product of grace but remember that “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48) 

Thirdly, watchmen do not watch in vain, they are promised a reward by their master, for this reason, we must be motivated by the reward of salvation that our Lord and Master Jesus Christ brings to us. We are greatly encouraged by the Lord’s Revelation to John that “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4) In other words, like faithful stewards waiting for their Lord, we shall receive the reward of eternal joy and life from our Lord and Master Saviour. There shall be total satisfaction for the faithful stewards because the Lord has promised us that “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:6) 

In conclusion beloved in the Lord, We must be watchful by doing the Will of God as time and seasons change. We must be watchful by discharging our duties as faithful stewards or servants and last but not the least, we must be watchful to merit the reward of salvation. May the Holy Spirit empower us to remain watchful in the new year and beyond even as we continue to be like men watching for their Lord. Amen.

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)