Alarm clock

"All that is reproved by the light is manifested ; For what manifests everything is light. Therefore he said : Awake, you who sleep, rise from the dead, and Christ will be on you." Ephesians 5: 13-14

When we study the history of the Church, we sometimes dream of living one of those great revival movements that the Spirit of God has repeatedly produced over the centuries. How to remain insensitive to these stories which show the love of God acting among men despite the inevitable human failings !

We are all the more moved internally as we deplore the sleep that has invaded so many Christians today ... the others, of course ! And then we gladly recommend anyone who wants to hear it : "Let us pray for an awakening !"

But the verse of the day which sounds like a bugle blow on the whole sleeping party, is addressed to every believer, to me as to you ! To awaken me is first to realize that I am sleeping and that I can be confused with those who, from the point of view of God, are dead, that is to say those who have not received The life of Christ, those who have their thoughts monopolized by the things of the world.

Humbled by this time lost in sleep and by the dishonor caused to the Lord, I pray God that he will keep me awake and filled with zeal for him. I am led to speak with "those who fear the LORD ... those who think in His name" (Mal 3:16), to pray with them that God may act according to His sovereign grace.

The desire of the Lord to rejoice in His people, His love for His redeemed, and love for sinners, will be manifested first by ardent supplications, but also by obedience to the orders which the Lord will give us according to his word. We will have to be careful, because these commandments may not be the ones we expect. Do not lock ourselves in our patterns or thoughts, but remain as faithful and zealous servants.

Let us rise up, let us shake off all resemblance to the world around us. Then Christ will shine upon us, and by this light we will be able to fulfill the beautiful task which the apostle is pointing out to us: to bear the light of Christ by walking "like children of light" (Eph 5: 8).

Source (To pleasing the Lord)