Some of us awaken each day to an alarm clock, some to a baby’s cry, and some to the smell of coffee. Some are quick to awaken. Some are slow to awaken. Nevertheless, awake we must be.
This morning as my alarm went off, I was awakened from a deep sleep. Like usual, after hitting snooze a couple of times, I stumbled into the kitchen, made myself a cup of coffee and then proceeded to my quiet place where I spent time with Jesus.
If you’re a person of a certain age, you probably remember the old Folgers coffee jingle:
The best part of waking up
Is Folgers in your cup
Ah, coffee is a delicious way to continue the waking-up process.
Waking Up
I’m a slow waker-upper. Yes, that is a word I just made up. 🙂
Others when they awaken, are like the Energizer bunny. They’re instantly energized and jump into their day with zest.
I think this is exactly how we are in our spiritual awakening too.
The difference in this awakening is that it’s not an alarm clock or baby or even coffee that awakens us. It is the Lord Jesus Himself who is the Awakener.
Awakening Process
When I think of the spiritual awakening process, I think of two parts: the first awakening and the ongoing awakening.
Some of us have a quick and dramatic first awakening like the Apostle Paul (Acts 9).
While others of us are slow waker-uppers to our spiritual awakening like the man who was born blind (John 9), it can take years before we are awake.
Likewise, our ongoing spiritual awakening, what I call our becoming mature in Christ journey, also can be a faster or slower process.
Sometimes we hit the snooze on becoming fully conscious of who we are and how Jesus wants to stir us up and get us growing and moving. We just don’t want to be awake. We like being asleep. It’s easier.
On the other hand, sometimes our becoming mature in Christ journey can be so fast, it’s like we’re traveling at jet speed.
Now here’s what I’ve experienced. I can hit the snooze and choose to fall back asleep, or I can get up and become fully conscious.
Regardless of my choice, Jesus is always the One who awakens us.
Check these out:
- “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1, NIV).
- “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11, NIV).
Friends, when Jesus decides the hour has come for you to be awakened, I guarantee He will make sure whatever alarm He has set, you will hear it, and you will become alert.
We are not the ones who awaken ourselves.
There is only One who can do the awakening.
Jesus is the Awakener!
My prayer for you this Advent season is that you will hear Jesus’ alarm and decide to heed His call on your life. I pray you will not hit the snooze button when Jesus tries to awaken you, but rather, you would choose to become alert and arise for the glory of the Lord.
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