Several years ago I heard James Ryle speak on the subject of “Why waking up is hard to do.” salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” The point is, we all go through cycles of spiritual alertness. God speaks to us, touches our hearts, and we repent. But time passes and we start to slouch, becoming numb to our call. We need to wake up.
The story of Rip Van Winkle is a good example of one who falls asleep and needs to wake up. Rip Van Winkle symbolized the superficial patriots who slept through the American Revolution, never committing themselves while the whole world changed around them. King George was in power when he went to sleep and when he awoke, George Washington had become President.
Staying awake to injustice and need can be an energy-sapping proposition. We grow weary in well-doing and long for a little rest. We go through phases in our lives of pouring out, seasons where we fall exhausted into bed. Life’s edges are too sharp, and our sleep is too short. We long to have our batteries recharged.
And in that place of tension, we begin to veer toward comfortable places and times of spiritual slumber. And it’s then that the devil’s chief occupation is to “rock the cradle lest we wake.”
Ryle referenced a couple of people in Scripture who were awakened – Jacob and Lazarus. Jacob woke up from a dream and said, “Surely the Lord the Lord was in this
place and I did not know it!.” Yes, he had been asleep in a literal way, but he’d also been asleep spiritually, feeling isolated and missing the presence of God.
In the story of Lazarus, Lazarus’ name means “without help.” When Jesus shouts, “Lazarus, come forth!” his voice carries across the valley; so he also calls to Jerusalem, a city that is without help. And over the centuries, his call is the same to each of us, “Come out of hiding, come out of obscurity, come out of bondage and into the light, into a life of freedom.”
Jesus did three things to wake up Lazarus that he does with each of us.
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
Seth I loved this posting because you are a friend and so is James Ryle.
Beyond that is a deep personal conviction we have “Christian Zombies” walking through the world muttering what they believe are the words of Jesus.
I know.
Because I was one.
But deep spiritual slumber induced by the sprinkled fairy dust of popular self preoccupied faith has given way to the wonder of it all.
I love the work of AIM (in part) because it teaches and coaches people to shut up and listen.
I am.
I love the image and idea of Lazarus’ grave clothes being taken off by the community… there’s so much there.
Awesome. Love the Lazarus image.
I’m reminded of a recent blog by my daughter, Keturah Weathers, called Break the silence, Wake the Dead, where she quotes a song I’m not familiar with by a group I’m equally not familiar with, being an old fogey, I guess. The group is Comeback Kid and the song follows.
Waiting for the calling
Anticipation in the air
We hope and dream of difference
City sleeping, unaware
Break the silence, WAKE THE DEAD
Running through these streets alone
I’ll kick and scream, let’s break this hold
Cuz I swear, and this won’t render useless
I promise you, we’ve come this far
And I’m not stopping, I’m not stopping now…
We said, we said, we said
This time was gonna be different
WAKE UP THE DEAD!!
There seems to be a theme going on in the Kingdom these days.
db
I love the William Wallace quote. That’s been something running through me mind and heart lately. The difference between breathing and REALLY LIVING. The life we quite often settle for is not what what we were created for.
Loved this Seth. Thank you for sharing the experience of James Ryle’s message and the pastor’s response (or lack thereof?) The wake-up most people respond to is a jolt to their system—either through loss of some kind, or a shock to the system.
If only it didn’t require extensive measures. But God knows how to reach each of His kids. What awakens one does nothing for another. Now that He has my full attention my desire is to stay awake and follow close.
God knowsWhat awakens one does nothing for another.