Welcome to Friday!
Last week, my daughter's sequin-covered T-shirt hid in the laundry basket. Now, we’re still finding sequins stuck to our socks and pants.
It’s a small reminder that what goes unnoticed can have lasting effects.
A sinful habit left unchecked—like gossip—can fracture relationships. An unhealthy thought life, left untended, can drain our joy and motivation. Neglecting our bodies can lead to consequences for our health.
When things go unnoticed, they remain unaddressed. And what’s left unaddressed cannot be corrected. That’s why we need open spiritual eyes, softened hearts, and time under biblical teaching—to recognize the things we’re missing before they take root.
Brian Hedges speaks to this need for spiritual watchfulness:
"To be watchful is to be careful. Carefulness suggests attentiveness and alertness, caution and concern. To watch is to care about, to pay attention to, and to take heed to certain aspects of our lives. The antonym of carefulness is carelessness. Watchfulness is the opposite of a laissez-faire approach to one’s inner life. If you never search your soul, examine your behavior, or take account of your thoughts, words, motives, and actions, then you are not watchful." [1]
Thomas Brooks expands on this, reminding us:
“Watchfulness includes a waking, a rousing up of the soul. It is a continual, careful observing of our hearts and ways, in all the turnings of our lives, that we still keep close to God and his word.” [2]
I remember the months after our daughter's bone marrow transplant—biweekly appointments in the city, regular temperature checks, constantly monitoring for any symptoms. Keeping close watch over her became a way of life.
This is how we are to keep watch over our souls.
Scripture admonishes us:
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Prov. 4:23)
Spiritual apathy often creeps in when we stop paying attention. But revival begins with awareness—asking God to open our eyes to what we've overlooked and realigning our hearts to His truth.
To a spiritually sluggish audience, the writer of Hebrews warns:
"We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." (Heb. 2:1)
So we lean into regular biblical teaching in our local churches. We build deep friendships where accountability can take place. We humble ourselves in prayer, seeking the Spirit's help to uncover our blind spots—including those "respectable sins" we so easily excuse.
Maybe this feels a little heavy as you head into the weekend. But it's easy to slip into the comfort of routine, to drift without realizing it. So may we be encouraged to draw near to the Lord and press on in Christ.
Grace & Peace,
Amber
[1] Brian Hedges, Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline, 17
[2] Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, 147
Content: This Week…
On the Blog
In Articles (curated content just for you)
Previously on Mosaic
On the Blog
In Articles
"Being a perfectionist makes us unduly impatient for the excellence of heaven—the glory for which we were originally designed. While we may consider ourselves as merely discerning or just pointing out the obvious, our continual belittlement of the efforts of the people around us can blind us to the beauty and grace God provides daily—even in a fallen world."
Don't Give Up On That Hard Relationship | Cindy Matson
Difficult relationships are complex, and when walking away feels like the easiest option, it’s worth pausing to pray, reflect on what’s truly happening, and seek wise counsel. Cindy points us to Paul and the Corinthians, reminding us that perseverance in relationships is both challenging and worthwhile.
It's February. Any resolutions or goals you made a month ago may be fading into the past by now, so here's some encouragements on persevering in your study of Scripture.
When You Don't Really Vibe With Your Small Group | Kelley Lee (Hosanna Revival)
I think it's a reality we've all come across at one time or another and our perspective on the matter makes a big difference. What's our focus? What's our purpose? Keep reading to find out.
Ministering to Lonely Children | Ed Drew (Rooted Ministry)
If you've ever had a child who struggles with friendships, this article is for you! I think two things really got me here, first was "rather than searching for reasons why no one likes your child, find the moments when they care for others well." I don't know why this has been my tendency in the past, but very convicting. Also, to "work through how to be good friends to others, rather than constantly feeling let down by others." Those feelings of disappointment really stick and linger, but if we can help our kids remember the value in giving, it can also go a long way.
Previously on Mosaic
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