WAKE UP!

I have learned to check my phone when I get up in the morning, as my children often send me a message the night before for me to remind them of something, wake them up at a certain time, etc. Well, this morning was no exception. My son sent me a text late last night: "Please make sure I'm up and walking around before you leave." I am accustomed to this message, but it hit me a little differently today.

It stirred in me to ask the same of my Father. I need to be awakened. I need revival. I would insert "we" in those previous statements rather than "I", but I want to deeply acknowledge that the need for revival starts at a personal level.

I in no way want to come to the spiritual bedside of those I come in contact with and try to shake them awake if I am doing so while sleepwalking. I think of a statement that the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church:

"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

I choose to blow the trumpet in Zion, making sure that I, myself, am also listening to its call. I want to set off alarm clocks to make sure the body of Christ isn't found sleeping, so I better not be wearing out the snooze button myself!

I don't want to wait for a devastating wake-up call to jar myself from the comfortable, complacent place in which I too often find myself.

What will it take to get us out of bed?

Father, I don't want to try and shake others awake while I slip back under the covers myself. Please bring revival in me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

1 Corinthians 9:27, Ephesians 5:14, Psalm 57:8, Joel 2:1