Guard Duty

Have you ever pulled guard duty? Of course, it depends on the context. Are you doing the duty, or is it being done to you? Perhaps you even have a “guard dog” – even if it’s a little yapper!

Guard is defined as:

• 1: one assigned to protect or oversee another:
• 2: a defensive state or attitude
• 3: the act or duty of protecting or defending, or, the state of being protected 
• 4: a protective or safety device
• 5: a position or player

In today’s sensitive coronavirus cloud, it is perhaps important to use all the meanings, all the time. It’s unsettling times, and we often ere in extra caution just to ensure everything is safe and protected.

You are responsible for protecting your most valuable possessions. The more possessions you have, the greater your responsibility. Right?

Well, what’s most important to you? Where do you find you spend most of your time? Is it a “who”? Most of us think we ourselves are the most important thing we should guard. While true, I also believe we are responsible for innocents that require our greater focus. Maybe even broader, as a Christian, we should be watchful for everyone!

I love how Dr. Tony Warick says it:

Guard your worth… your spirit… your mind… your gift… your dreams. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ~Dr. Tony Warirck

Now. Apply that to the innocents you are responsible for. Let the stage be set. You are not in this for self-preservation alone. Your focus needs to be on others. From the natural to the spiritual, you have a great responsibility.

Spiritual Responsibility

In biblical translation, depending on which version you like, words are updated to reflect modern usage. Though “guard” is recognized as the act of defending, or protecting, either by role, place or object, there is another way to view it.

Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving,
let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)

Anxious times, or even personality, requires us to learn how to let our anxiety slip from our shoulders like a cloak sliding to the ground. Turn it over to Christ. His peace is greater than all our understanding. He will guard you!

Paul was writing to the church at Thessalonica, and simplifies the thought like this:

But the Lord is faithful,
who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
(2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV)

Did you notice? Though we are often proactive in taking a guarded position in life, God has the ability to guard us through his Peace and Faith.

At all times, we need to simply learn to let God Do What God Does!
Let Go. Let God.