Carol J German

God is calling us to rise up for such a time as this. Many voices are needed to awaken the souls of our sleepy brothers and sisters. “For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation.” See 2 Corinthians 6:2.

This is why Jesus came to die for us. We are in need of salvation. Back in the Garden, a slithering serpent tricked Adam and Eve. He danced with Eve’s emotions and convinced her that it would be good to be as wise as God. She then turned to Adam and he agreed; see Genesis 3. Something dreadful happened that day. Sin became a reality, and it has plagued this earth and man ever since.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet, God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood.” See Romans 3:23-25.

Every heart needs to hear about the love that God bestowed on us. Every soul needs to be redeemed by the Lamb of God. So, who is going to talk about the greatest love story ever told? Who is going to live out this love so others can see for themselves that God is who He says He is? How will people know the Truth? It’s time to awaken and tell God, “Send me. I will go,” instead of hoping that God will call someone else. It’s time to awaken from our busyness, our own plans, and follow the Holy Spirit’s bidding.

But we are afraid, aren’t we? What if God says to stop (put your favorite activity here)? What if following Jesus is boring? What if He asks me to do (fill in the blank)? I don’t want to live like a monk or nun. What if God asks me to give up all that I have worked hard for?

These are just a sampling of how we can keep ourselves sleepy and miss out, miss out on our salvation.

The Bible gives us insight into why we should awaken to what God has placed before us. Look at Ephesians 5:14-17, “For the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, ‘Awake, O Sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ So, be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

God wants us to be urgent in our awakening. Romans 13:11 says, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Our world is changing. A time is coming when Jesus will return. We must be about our Father’s business for we are His ambassador’s. God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” See 2 Corinthians 5:20.

We are called to walk obediently, like Christ did. Isaiah 50: 4-5 says, “The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He awaken me and opens my understanding to His will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.” God will never have us do something that will not make us be the best that we can be. Satisfaction, contentment, and happiness will be ours when we follow God. Our souls will rejoice. We will achieve success when Christ is involved; read Psalm 1:1-3.

It is good to know that God is not our killjoy, Satan is.

It is time to arise from our slumber. God has work for us to do and we can’t fulfill HIs will if we are walking around like zombies. May this season of new life bring you closer to the love of your life, Jesus Christ. He will fill you with good things, eternal things that satisfy the heart.