Are We Too Sleepy?
I’m an early morning riser. My built-in, wake-up clock is set for 5 am. It serves me well as I post my daily blog by 6 am so my followers can catch a positive word before their day gets into overdrive. I get dozy in the afternoon because my usual night’s sleep of only five or six hours just isn’t enough to tide me over for the whole day. I was amused when my two grandsons came over yesterday to get something they left here. I never knew they were here because I was in my bedroom recliner, with earplugs in, sound asleep. Sweet rest!
Like I get sleepy during the day in the natural, I really believe there are those of us who are living life in a half asleep, groggy mindset. The enemy of our souls has drugged us with complacency. You know, the que sera sera, what-will-be-will-be mindset. We shut out the news (which isn’t a bad thing) because we don’t want to take in all the rancor. We shut off our phones because we don’t want to respond to a call. We close our ears and eyes to the pain and suffering around us. We’ve let ourselves go into a slumber by tuning out kindness and consideration for those who can’t sleep.
Some folks have become so lethargic that they have to intentionally shake their arms and legs just to get life flowing again. Others just roll over and go back to sleep. I sensed today from Heaven Central that I was supposed to sound a “wake-up” call for us. Isaiah 60:1-2 says: “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” How’s that for giving us a “high energy drink” that will arouse us from our slumber? The truth is – if we’re not arising and letting our little lights shine brighter than ever before, we know the enemy’s camp will make the darkness darker.
I know these words will resonate with Christ’s followers – just like when He spoke the words “Follow Me” to His disciples — and they followed! We read very little about Jesus taking naps. He tried, but there were always those who needed Him. Jesus’ call to follow Him is more than an invitation to pray a prayer. And we can sure be praying, but His call is a summons in this “deep darkness around us” to power-up, wake-up and rise-up to be the Lord’s light in this world.
In case you’re sensing that you needed this wake-up call today, you can join me in this prayer that I’m praying! “Thank You, Lord, for waking me up. Thank You for the strength and courage to be the light in the darkness of someone’s life – to be a refreshing drink of water to a thirsty soul – to be brothers and sisters to those who need love and kindness. Thank You for teaching us to truly LOVE like You. May we stand strong and shine brightly against the forces of darkness that are screaming into the ears of our generation, trying to confuse and bring conflict against You and Your Word. We know we are warring against principalities and powers of darkness that would love to snuff out Your Light and our light. Please give us a holy boldness to shine bright for You! In Jesus’ name. Amen!