awake, monday

Monday, May 5

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer: Lord, awaken me, you whose love burns beyond the stars; light the flame of my lantern that I may always burn with love. (A Traveler Toward the Dawn by John Eagan)

Scripture Reading for the Day: Romans 13:11-14

Reading for Reflection:

But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! (Romans 13:11-14 The Message)

 

It is amazing how easily we can get lulled to sleep at times.  I guess that's why so often the scriptures encourage us to stay awake and to wait in eager expectation, anticipating Christ's return at any moment.  It is an actively passive waiting that’s called for, if that's possible.  We cannot control the how or the when or the where of his coming, so, in that sense, it must be passive.  We can, however, control how we will wait for that coming.  Therefore, it must also always be active.  We must stay on our toes, or on our tiptoes, one might say.  We must be on the edge of our seats, and not settled back into the comfort and ease of our La-Z-Boy.  We must stay ready, both watching and waiting.  That is the kind of wakefulness that is called for.  We must keep our spiritual wits about us.  We must be careful to do the things that keep our souls most awake and alert, whatever those things may be.  Because, ultimately, Christ will come.  And when he does, will he find us ready?

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

                                          

Closing Prayer:  Most Holy God, wake me up from my soul’s deep slumber and bring my life under your complete control.  By your grace, awaken me daily to the reality of your presence within and around me.  And, by the power of your Spirit, make me responsive to your will and your direction.  Amen.