Grace and peace, friends.

Did you know that during the late-Medieval period, London had a strange law on the books? Each entry gate into the city had to keep a musician on duty. It was the musician who was given the task of holding their post and staying on watch. I’m sure it goes without saying but being assigned to that post was a dangerous assignment. City gates were typically the point of entry for those who intended to attack a city. So why the musicians? The obvious answer is that musicians were considered to be the ideal first responders because they could sound the alarm in case of any major disturbances that might occur.

Now that I think about it, it’s pretty smart, right? If you’re needing to get an alarm for an impending attack, a long blow of the trombone or trumpet could certainly do the job!
 
As I read that this week, I couldn’t help but also see the similarity here to surrendering to the call of Jesus in our lives. The truth is, as followers of Jesus, our call – our mission – is to stay awake, to stay at our post, to guard and to protect, and to pray for the “city gate” where the Lord has posted us.
 
In 1 Thessalonians 5, the Apostle Paul reminds the church that Jesus is coming again, and no one knows the day or time, only the Father. Because of that, Paul encourages the early believers with the following: “Let’s not sleepwalk through life. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart.” (1 Thessalonians 5:7 MSG)
 
Friends, whatever your post may look like today, eyes open! 

Love God. Love people. Repeat daily.

It makes a difference, and it’s music to the Lord’s ears.