In High School, I'd roll out of bed, sit on the couch, then lay on the couch, take a bit of breakfast, doze, repeat for a while, then slowly get ready. The process lasted about an hour.
Now that I'm an adult, it's much the same. Except, no breakfast and I hit the snooze for an hour, then turn on the TV and watch the morning news for a bit before getting ready.
Now that I'm an adult, it's much the same. Except, no breakfast and I hit the snooze for an hour, then turn on the TV and watch the morning news for a bit before getting ready.
I've also noticed there is a spiritual parallel with me.
The alarm goes off- warning me of a behavior or thought pattern that is not so healthy- and I acknowledge it, hit the snooze and go back to what I was doing. It's only when I finally catch a glimpse of just how bad - or how good the opportunity is, it goes both ways- that I finally begin to wake up. It's like when you see the clock and realize you've hit the snooze seven times, not five.
The alarm goes off- warning me of a behavior or thought pattern that is not so healthy- and I acknowledge it, hit the snooze and go back to what I was doing. It's only when I finally catch a glimpse of just how bad - or how good the opportunity is, it goes both ways- that I finally begin to wake up. It's like when you see the clock and realize you've hit the snooze seven times, not five.
In my life, I have seasons of real spiritual growth, like most of us do. It is unfettered, unhindered and it is awesome. But there comes an end to that, for a myriad of reasons. Then enters the spiritual drought- the sleep- that in some ways serves to give rest from dogged pursuit of God's work. The sleep is not always a bad thing, if it is more of sabbatical and less of a hedonistic (in a bad way) vacation. Either way, you will need to wake up. God will call you to something or away from something as your alarm.
And if you are like me in my sleep and spiritual patterns, you will hit the snooze. And you will miss it.
There are practical ways to wake up fast from actual slumber- caffeine, cold stone floors, cold showers, true love's kiss. So, is there a practical way to wake from spiritual slumber?
I think there are several, but I have a 50-50 success rate at making/letting any of them work. So take me as I am.
1. Caffeine- If God is calling you to something, the best thing to jump headlong into it. Like good caffeine can jolt you awake, doing what God called you to do, made you to do- it can brighten you right up. Start drinking in the stuff God is giving you. Read the Bible passages that pertain to your perceived calling and pray for opportunities and guidance. Look for inspiration and ideas and opportunities everywhere. And go. Do it. The downside is that sometimes it is not easy to do- sometimes they are out of coffee. You have to jump through hoops to get to the calling, or you have to suffer through day jobs and struggles- wait for the pot of coffee to brew. This will require patience and diligence to not fall back asleep. But it will be worth it.
2. Cold Stone Floors- There is something about swinging your feet out of a warm, cozy bed and touching ice cold floors to tell you to watch your step. There are other variations of the 'cold stone floor,' generally involving something the pet did over night, or storms. They all serve the same purpose: a warning to wake up and watch out. Your path is dangerous. You should heed it- and if it's the pet accident variety, clean it up.
3. Cold Showers- If the cold floors didn't do it, then the shower will. Suddenly you wake to see your sin. It is stark, naked and right there. You cannot deny it and the damage the sinful sleep you've been in has done to you and others. You are motivated to get clean and do it fast- cold showers are unpleasant, but effective. But you must channel this repentant spirit into something (caffeine) or the remembrance of the unpleasant waking will fade and you will only remember the blissful ignorance of sleep.
4. True Love's Kiss- Sometimes all it takes to wake us from slumber is a gentle kiss from the one we love. It's the best way to wake up. When God offers you a gift, or a blessing, or a kindness, you open your eyes to see His love and grace staring at you. You are drawn out of the sleep and into His arms and worship is sprung forth. While the other methods require you to act, this one is the best because it is all about you just reacting to God. It's about His goodness and His grace.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1
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