Jimbo's Jots

There’s Roz from Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. reminding Mike Sullivan, “I’ll be watching . . . always watching!”

Or Ira and George Gershwin’s song from the musical Oh Kay! pointing out that we need “someone to watch over me.”

Who can forget Rockwell’s 1984 hit about paranoia, “I always feel like somebody’s watching me?”

And our classic church hymn, “There’s an all seeing eye watching you.” I always pictured this giant eyeball in the sky!

In Genesis 28, Jacob has received the blessing from Isaac. After receiving the blessing, he leaves. After setting camp, he sleeps and has the famous stairway to heaven dream. It is here that God reminds Jacob the same promise given to his grandfather, Abraham.

“Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:14-15) The story continues with Jacob stating that God is in this place, but he was not aware of it.

How would we do with that? God reveals a promise to us in a dream. Reminds us of his continual presence and watchful eye. Would we be filled with fear like Sully was with Roz? Would we be assured knowing that we need someone to watch over me? Or be filled sense of anxiety or paranoia like Rockwell?

Whether we acknowledge or not, God’s presence and promise is given to us like Jacob long ago. My prayer is that brings comfort and assurance to you.

Be blessed and be a blessing!