Time to Rise
This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14
Insight
In life, we face crossroads all the time. Situations present themselves that force us to consider, decide, or choose. They show up in different ways: a job promotion, a health diagnosis, unpaid bills, a strained relationship, getting into college, moving to a new city, finding out you're pregnant, becoming an empty nester, etc. The list could go on and on.
Sometimes these moments are significant and noticeable. Other crossroads present themselves as feelings of being tired of status quo, worn out by the daily grind, sorrow that won't go away, indifference, or a lack of overall passion and purpose.
How will we respond to what we see? Will we stick our head in the sand and pretend like it doesn't exist? Will we distract ourselves from the decisions before us? Or, will we view these circumstances as an opportunity for growth, change, and transformation?
The hour is at hand. Life moves forward whether we want it to or not. Attempting to maintain the way things are is an exercise in futility. Even though we love the safety of “what has been," the growth we ultimately crave, doesn't reside there.
Throughout Scripture, the imagery of sleep is used to describe the state of being spiritually unaware. Jesus understood the devastating effect our slumber has on our heart so He commands us to watch and pray. He is urging us to open our eyes and fully see what is at stake. He's addressing the places where we are intentionally distracted.
A crossroad can catalyze change, but only if we're willing to pay attention. To watch and pray is designed to empower action. Christ’s call to “sleep later” isn’t a call to hustle, but rather wake up.
God's direction always requires our response.
A decision provides action for our beliefs. A decision is a conclusion to act after consideration. It propels us to move in a direction when faced with a crossroad. Many of us know what God is asking us to do or where He is leading us, but we refuse to take that first step. The fifth step along the path is irrelevant if we remain paralyzed with the first one.
Rather than being bogged down by the unknown, we've got to decide to decide
Reflection
On a scale of 1-7, how spiritually awake are you right now: (1) completely asleep to (7) fully awake? What makes you answer in the way that you do?
Prayer
God, awaken me from my slumber. Help me to pay attention to where You are moving in my life. Open my eyes to the things I've been missing, denying or pretending aren't there. Let me respond to these circumstances with courage, hope, and faith. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.