Rising up and Moving Forward

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.  –Ephesians 5:13-15 

Have you ever had your day get off to a bad start because you overslept?  That is bound to have happened to all of us at one time or another.  Many of us have been foiled by the alarm clock; hit the snooze button, forget to set the alarm, or the old “I’ll just lay here a little while longer and then get up.”  In the end what happens?  We end up either running way behind or late to where were supposed to be.

God’s Word challenges us to get our lives out into the light; the light being symbolic of doing that which is honorable to God and exalts Jesus Christ.  Indeed, the light of Christ shines into our lives and will expose all that is going on within us.  The good news, though, is that with the Lord’s help those undesirable aspects of our thoughts or attitudes can be removed and overcome.  This is why we are challenged in Scripture to wake up and let the light of Christ shine on us.  Doing so is always to our benefit. 

Have you ever had the experience of trying to wake someone up who would not get up?  If you have ever had teenagers in the house then most likely you have had that experience.  I did it when I was growing up and my sons have done it as well, and that is to underestimate the amount of sleep they need. Sadly, many adults do the same.  We end up almost having to physically shake them out of bed.  Perhaps the Lord feels the same toward us sometimes.  He calls, challenges, inspires, convicts, and brings blessings to our hearts and all the while we continue on a kind of spiritual slumber.  We will only accomplish what the Lord is calling us to do when we by faith rise up and move forward in Jesus’ name.

No matter how physically or emotionally exhausted you may feel today, there is blessed spiritual strength to the found in the Lord.  Trust in Christ, rely upon the strength and help God is offering, and go forward into the blessings that await us today. 

A wonderful day of service to the Lord is waiting.