We Were Designed for the Waking

alarm-clock-1274239_640Have you ever struggled to awaken from anesthesia?
Pursued lucid thoughts through the fog?
Fought to regain a knowledge, an awareness, and a self-control you once took for granted?
Yesterday I heard the sleeping church trying to wake up.
And what do we do upon waking?
We seek the face of the one who matters most, the one we love, the one who has been keeping watch and urging us to emerge from the stupor.
Express and request assurances of the love we once took for granted.
Thank those responsible for our waking.
Receive nourishment.
Seek direction from those responsible for our care.
And then – we rise.
And when we rise,
there is either work to tend that was neglected
while we slept
or perhaps we have been changed in the waking
and there is new work ahead.
But we’re eager for it.
We’ve been asleep. We’ve lain abed. But that was always to be a transient state.
We were designed for the waking.
As we emerged from anesthesia,
we sensed our powerlessness in sleep,
this is what we fought.
but upon waking,
life, energy, and strength flows through us
so we remember that we are not the captives we were
when we are under,
the freedom of waking is the freedom to move and to act.
What will you do with your freedom?
After every great war, the survivors gather around tables and fires
and they ask one another
“Where were you stationed during the war?”
“What was your work?”
“What did you contribute to the war effort?”
“Tell us your stories.”
Some were on the front lines,
while others entertained the troops,
and some cooked and fed the foot soldiers
while others comforted the wounded.
Some were stationed far from the action
but rallied resources, petitioned leaders, and reported the news.
and some fell in foreign outposts
paying the highest price of all.
The ones who remain silent around the fire
Are those who clung to their comfort
And contributed no effort to the fight.
Paralyzed with cowardice.
Siezed with fear.
Lulled by complacency.
They have no stories to tell but only forgiveness to ask
from those who set aside comfort, fear, personal agendas, and time with loved ones
to engage the enemy
to free captives
to minister to heroes
and to obey the call of the One who loves and leads them all
the One who purchased every place at the fire
with His own blood.
““Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:14b-17 (ESV)
What will you do now that you’re awake?
What are you doing with your freedom?
When we sit around the great table in heaven how will you answer when someone asks,
 
“What did you do during the war?”


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12 Comments

    The Conversation

  1. Carrie Lynn says:

    your storytelling is still alive and well. May I apply His word to my life when I am reminded of it’s truths.

  2. Anonymous says:

    I found you today, Lori. Thank you for both messages I’ve read – this one and the one about North Korea. You spoke to my heart. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines for a while… I don’t say this lightly – I’m burdened with the call to re-enter the fight – thanks for the reminder. (p.s. I really like the quote over there—-> from Tolkien) Leslie

  3. I saw a photo of Robert Frost’s tombstone the other day. His epitaph reads “I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.” He was awake. I feel like I’ve been waking up for years, like cold water has splashed me in the face. Yay, God! Let’s get going!

  4. Anonymous says:

    Just found your site, your words are powerful. I read your post about the 33 North Korean Christian martyrs…being Korean myself, it hit close to home. May we all live lives worthy of our calling, and may we awaken from our slumber for our Lord is coming soon.

  5. Rom 13:11 And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. Each year we do a 24/7 community wide week of prayer the first week of January. Our theme this year was AWAKE!!! The clarion call to arise out of slumber is truly echoing across the Body. Thank you for your words. May your tale captivate for centuries those around the Table of the King. http://www.scribentus.wordpress.com

  6. RJ says:

    A very good friend sent me a link to your blog recently. Thank you for this message, Lori. It is good to meet you. There is certainly some waking up going on, and it is encouraging to read this post.