One of the houses that we used to rent had an alarm system in it. I really didn’t think much about it. Out of habit, I would set the alarm at night before going to bed.

But one night in the middle of that thing came to life and blared out. INTRUDER ALERT [SIREN] LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. THE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN CONTACTED [SIREN]

Y’all, my heart and soul about jumped out of my body. I leapt out of bed, grabbed my pistol, and was ready for action. I eased my way through the house, checking every door and window. It turned out to simply be a false alarm, but man, what a jolting experience.

Now, part of me was mad for it waking me up for no reason, but part of me was also thankful that it was alert when I was asleep. You see, in this world, we must stay alert. We must stay vigilant.

In fact, the Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul calls us to that very vigilance. He says in Ephesians 6:18, “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” We are to be like an alarm system for our brothers and sisters. We are to remain alert for them. We are to keep watch over them. We are to remain vigilant for them. Why? So that we can be ready to sound the alarm when we detect the enemy.

We are to do what that alarm system in my house did. Get people’s attention, and alert the authorities. Spiritually, that means that we sound the alarm by letting our brothers and sisters know what’s going on and then alert the authority of Heaven. We pray and call upon God to act, to do what needs to be done, and to help in the situation.

I’m thankful for my brothers and sisters who stay on alert for me. And I take seriously my calling to do the same for them. That’s what Christian brothers and sisters do.

Change begins in you!