He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and
pray that you may not undergo the test.” Lk 22: 46. As
Christians we are to be on “watch” like the apostles were when Jesus went to
the Mount of Olives to pray.
But, like the apostles, have I fallen asleep just as they
did? They were faithful followers and still they fell asleep and even denied being
with and following Christ. (Peter denied Christ 3 times.)
Yet Jesus was always very patient, forgiving them (and us)
for their (our) lack of readiness and watchfulness. And eventually these
followers became Saints because they
repented, were converted, and chose
to be awakened by Christ’s message.
How many times have I denied, grown weary, sat back and said
nothing when I knew I was being asked to do more, when I was being asked to live
or defend my faith—and sometimes, more importantly, to speak up and correct a
friend or family member who was circumventing what in my heart I knew was the
path of Christ’s truth.
All ate the
same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank
from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was the Christ. Yet God
was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert.
These things happened as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil
things, as they did. Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered death by
the destroyer. These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to
us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore, whoever thinks he
is standing secure should take care not to fall. 1
Cor 10: 5-6, 10-12
Have you ever said, “It’s their choice, I can’t change
it, It doesn’t affect me?”
And yet Christ taught that IT DOES affect me. I am warned
that I have come from the same spiritual background and that God is not always been
pleased with us (his people) who fall asleep, desire evil things, and grumble
that our real work here on earth might be difficult and counter cultural.
Yes, I must be careful not to judge, and I must be
careful to seek wisdom and to have compassion, for we are all sinners, but I CANNOT fall asleep, I must not
confuse speaking the truth with judgment. If I want God’s highest goal for me,
heaven, then I must always be ready to live by the highest standard, God’s.
And I must always be ready to ask God for guidance and
the courage to speak when someone has fallen asleep to God’s truth. Because IT
DOES AFFECT ME!!
I am being called to do more, not only to live my life as
an example, but sometimes to speak up and awaken those around me, who are not
living up to this higher standard. And I might be chastised and outcast by them
for following God’s call, just as the apostles were.
BUT this is God’s call—to be awake—to not hide or sleep,
for I desire the same end as the apostles, sainthood—to be with God in heaven.
Sainthood, holiness, is God’s call to each of us, and with His help, and by my
choice, I can be awakened and I can awaken those around me. But I must be careful
to never feel too secure or to be caught off guard because it is only human to
fall asleep.
God made us in His image to be saints. And Christ made this
promise possible with his death on the cross.
Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you
think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater
sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not
repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were
killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you
do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”
Heavenly Father, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help me to not grow
weary but to stay ready and watchful. Give me a nudge when I fall asleep. Help me to have the courage to rise up to the
challenges of speaking Your truth, to love my neighbor and to help every person
I meet to get to know You. Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with compassion and
right judgment, wisdom and understanding to live and to speak God’s command.
Amen.
If I fall asleep, if I back down, if I choose to ignore sin, then I am no
better and much more guilty, because God has shown me a better way. And I will
perish for my choice to “be asleep.”
Stay awake, be ready and know that Christ’s encouraging Word is meant to
help us rise up.
Blessings,
Charlotte
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