Values Quotes – Richard Sibbes on Watchfulness
Todays quote is from Richard Sibbes, an English theologian and author from the 15th century whose works influenced many other Christian clergy.
Sibbes made the following profound statement:
“Weakness with watchfulness will stand, when strength with too much confidence fails.”
What a powerful way to consider the value of watchfulness.
As a differentiating value, Watchfulness means alertness or wakefulness; vigilant attentiveness.
Being watchful is Biblically based. We are all accountable to be watchful for the dangers that threaten us. But we’re also to be watchful for the help from God that is provided.
This reminds me of the story of the man in a terrible storm waiting to be rescued from the rooftop of his house. A neighbor calls out offering help and he says: “no worries, God will provide”. Then someone ventures through the storm waters in a boat offering to help, but the man says: “no worries, God will provide.” Finally a helicopter comes offering to rescue him, but the man says: “no worries, God will provide.”
What happens to this man? He dies in the storm, and then goes to God and asks: “why didn’t you rescue me?” And God replies: “I tried, but you refused. I sent your neighbor. I sent a boat. I even sent a helicopter. But you refused them all.”
As Sibbes outlined in his quote, confidence without watchfulness can be dangerous. Even in our greatest moments of weakness we know that we’ll be fine if we embrace the value of watchfulness.
Today’s value was selected from the “Determination-Focus” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Values.
Note: If you are interested, here is the full quote from Richard Sibbes:
“As the strongest faith may be shaken, so the weakest, where truth is, is so far rooted that it will prevail. Weakness with watchfulness will stand, when strength with too much confidence fails. Weakness, with acknowledgement of it, is the fittest seat and subject for God to perfect his strength in; for consciousness of our infirmities drives us out of ourselves to him in whom our strength lies.”
