To the 'Broken' Watchman (Ezekiel 2 and 3)

“A broken clock is right twice a day.” Mark Twain

“Who watches the watchmen?” Juvenal

“Time and tide wait for no man.” Chaucer

“Lost time is never found again.” Franklin

Hey—

look at me.

I know.
You didn’t fall because you were reckless.
You fell because you were tired.

You didn’t abandon the wall—
you just sat down for a minute
and the minute turned into months.

It wasn’t the shouting that got you.
It was the looks.

The eyes that narrowed.
The faces that stiffened.
The smile that never reached the eyes
and the silence that said more than words ever could.

And then the screens—
the endless scrolling screens.

The comments dressed like concern.
The sarcasm disguised as wisdom.
The “just asking questions” crowd
asking nothing at all.

You posted once.
Once.

And the room turned cold.
Not loud—
worse.

Cold.

No replies.
A few laughs—
not with you.
At you.

And you told yourself it was discernment.
Maturity.
Peace.

But really—
it was fear wearing a clerical collar.

Listen—
you are not weak for feeling it.

Words cut.
Looks crush.
And being misunderstood in public
is its own kind of crucifixion.

But hear me now.

You were never called to win the city.
You were called to warn it.

You were never tasked with changing hearts,
only with opening your mouth
when God put fire there.

You forgot that part.

You thought silence might save you.
You thought quiet might keep the peace.
You thought retreat was kindness.

But peace that demands disappearance
is not peace.
It’s surrender.

And love that never risks truth
is not love.
It’s fear with good intentions.

I know—
you replay the faces.
You hear the tone.
You still flinch when the notification buzzes.

That doesn’t disqualify you.

It means you cared.

But hear this—
their looks were never your verdict.
Their words were never your judge.

They were a rebellious house
before you ever climbed the wall.

So stand up.

Not angry.
Not loud.
Not cruel.

Stand up faithful.

Say the thing you were given—
not everything,
just the thing.

Warning, not winning.
Faithfulness, not applause.
Love that tells the truth
and leaves the outcome with God.

You don’t have to shout.
You don’t have to post every thought.
You don’t have to answer every voice.

But when the word comes—
don’t sit down again.

Get back on the wall.

The city still needs watchmen.
And you—
you were never finished.

“A broken clock still tells the truth sometimes.”

“The watch is broken, not time itself.”

“Silence does not stop the clock.”

“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” Thomas Jefferson

“Watchfulness is the price of safety.” Samuel Johnson

“It is easy to sleep at your post when the night is long.”

Note: About the quote at the top

Watchman Nee (1903–1972) is recognized by some as one of the most significant Christian figures of his era.
Nee became a Christian at age 17 in 1920. He soon began an impactful ministry focusing on personal faith, the experience of Christ, and the deeper Christian life, without attending a formal theological seminary.
He founded a movement in China known as the "Local Churches," which emphasized independence from Western missionary organizations and sought to follow New Testament church practices strictly. The movement grew rapidly to hundreds of congregations across China before the Communist Revolution.
A prolific writer, his books were often compiled from his spoken messages. His most well-known works include The Normal Christian Life, The Spiritual Man, and Sit, Walk, Stand. These writings continue to influence Christians globally, spanning various denominations.
Following the Communist takeover of China, Nee was arrested in March 1952 for his faith and leadership among the churches. He was falsely accused of various crimes and sentenced to fifteen years in prison in 1956.
He remained imprisoned until his death on May 30, 1972, spending the last 20 years of his life in confinement. In his final days, he left a note under his pillow that served as his testament: "Christ is the Son of God Who died for the redemption of sinners and was resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ". He is considered a martyr of the Chinese church.

Early Jan. Thoughts- A Simple Journal

There is really nothing in January that naturally propels a new beginning—nothing but a change of month and year. I laugh at myself, because while some people are Scrooges about Christmas, I tend to be a Scrooge about the New Year. Bah humbug to resolutions.

That said, my journaling through November and December—and especially my trip to Colorado for Christmas—was genuinely helpful. Winter has its purpose, and that theme poured out through both my lyrics and my musings. I still never want to forget little Pearl and Hester Prynne at the babbling brook in The Scarlet Letter. Pearl dances and delights in it, while Hester hears only sorrow in its murmur. The stream speaks differently to each because it reflects what each carries inside.

That same idea stands at the opening of Thanatopsis: Nature speaks a “various language,” according to the condition of the soul that listens. She does not change—but we do. And so the echo changes.

This has been, by grace, a good beginning. Colorado nudged me early into my annual ritual of fitness and cleaner eating, an attempt to undo a fall filled with football food and holiday laziness. In the South, fall and football always mean too much good food, and eating isn’t just pleasure—it’s comfort. When we win, I eat to celebrate; when we lose, I eat to commiserate. Pullovers and quarter-zips help hide an ever-widening girth, until I can almost hear my old friend Randy Overstreet saying, “It ain’t right for a boy to blow up like that.”

But I’m back in a routine—helped along by movement, thin air, and the reminder that I simply feel better when I exercise and eat well.

Better still, I’ve begun a new Bible reading. For reasons I can’t fully explain, the Lord has drawn me to Ezekiel—and it has been marvelous so far.

Never doubt the reality of the Lord. He is active. He is present. He loves me deeply. I sin greatly—but the light is brighter than the darkness.

Here it is—the Year of Our Lord, 2026.
Let’s see what adventures lie ahead.

Let me know how you are doing- jayopsis@gmail.com