Everyone pulls guard duty. Way back when when I was in the Army I was deployed a few times. I remember pulling guard duty in Somalia and in Haiti. I was an Army Journalist but I still had to carry a weapon. And I still had to take my turn at guard duty.
The Believer's life is the same.
guard what has been entrusted to you. 1 Timothy 6:20a (http://bible.cc/1_timothy/6-20.htm)
A rampart is a defensive wall. On guard duty most of the time is just staying awake and watching. In Haiti I remember dogs barking, black roosters crowing, the sun rising. Not much went on while I was there but I still had to be there. In Somalia, I had guard duty over the commander during the day one time. It was pretty light guard duty. I just sat in front of his door reading a book I think. A general stopped by and asked me if I would really shoot someone (cause I guess I didn't look too intimidating as a soldier). I told him I would if I had to (though I'm so glad I didn't have to).
It didn't really matter what I looked like. The weapon would fire just as well for a thin white girl as it would for a buff infantry soldier.
And that is true in the spiritual realm too. We all have weapons to use against the unseen enemy: the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (the word of God). From Ephesians 6 we read:
10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12For wec are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.d16In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.e17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(from http://nlt.scripturetext.com/ephesians/6.htm)
Forgive the haphazardness of this post. I really wanted to mention that when we are guarding daily, we can be sure we'll hear from God. It's interesting the writer from the initial verse I quoted said he'd keep watch to see what God would say to him. God's voice is rarely audible.Often it is through sight we see God's message.
Keep your eyes open today and keep your shield up. You'll witness God.
(one last note -- God will speak to you through all your senses)