And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.
Mark 13:37 (ESV)
Lord, on this cold morning I am so tired. Not just physically – though that is the case – but also mentally and spiritually. There is so much to do and seemingly so little time to do it in. The tug of all things in me and around me has me spinning in circles. And when I feel like this my tendency is to just shutdown every aspect of my being, close myself off to the world, crawl up under my proverbial rock, and just be alone, allowing the world and life to pass me by.
Yet, today there are words that are ringing in my inner being: watch over your soul. When I hear You say, “Stay awake,” I hear You beckoning me to be conscious of where I am spiritually, how I am allowing this world, the enemy and my flesh to influence my decision making, and what I am doing to resist them and ensure that I am living a life pleasing to You. When You tell me to stay awake I hear You telling me that I need to keep my eyes looking up for You are coming soon to relieve me of the burdens and weights of this world and usher me into Your presence forever. When You tell me to stay awake I am reminded that I am not my own but have been purchased with a price and that I am loved more than I can imagine.
So Lord, continue to shake me in my sleepy state and remind me to stay awake. Remind me to be vigilant, watching over my soul. Remind me that You have put me in charge of much, and with that comes responsibility and accountability. And remind me that even as You surprised everyone with Your glorious entrance into this world through the virgin birth, You will surprise the world with Your glorious return to make all things new. That will be something awesome to stay awake for! Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen!