Watchmen

The prophet Ezekiel received a call from the Lord to go among the Israelites—his own people—who had rebelled against the Lord and were considered “obstinate and stubborn” (2:4).  The Lord commanded Ezekiel to say to them, “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ and whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.” The Lord gives Ezekiel this charge: “You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language…whose words you cannot understand.  Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you.  But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me…But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are.  I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint.  Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them….” The Lord said again, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you.  Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them.”  God then told Ezekiel, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” 

American youth culture is one of the most difficult mission fields in the world right now.  They are calloused, hardened and completely turned off to the whole concept of Jesus and the Church.  The name of “Jesus” is flippantly thrown about and the idea of church is regarded as a crutch for the weak.  In America, true followers of Christ play an invaluable role.  We are not only sent to reveal Christ to them, but to undo and demolish all of the misconceptions that have been created by both the society in which we live and those masquerading as followers of Christ.

Just like Ezekiel, I believe that we here at The Bridge are called to minister to our own people – the youth of this disconnected generation.  One day God might call us to go to those places of obscure speech, but right now and at this time, we are called to this generation in this place.  We have been called to reveal Christ, to expose them to their innermost longings for a Savior and to give them the only hope that has foundation.  As God called Ezekiel, God has called us. 

We have been given the Word from the Lord.
We man the wall; we put on our armor. 

This is our watch now.