Ever hear that cliché? Rise and Shine? Or Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey. Or like Ben Franklin who said, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise”? Or that shirt that says “don’t talk to me before coffe.” Ok I’m getting off topic.
I didn’t want to talk about getting out of bed and hitting the snooze button or the button on the coffee pot. I wanted to talk about getting out of our dormancy, sloughing off the old zombie-like self that walks around who may be physically awake but spiritually asleep. To spiritually rise and shine! Because it’s time to wake up and get to work!
Ephesians 5:14 says
“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.”
If we keep reading in verse 15-17 it says, “
“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.”
It’s time to consider what we are doing on a daily basis. How are we spending the time we’ve been given? Psalms says that our time on earth is the width of a man’s hands and we are nothing more than shifting shadows! (Psalm 39:4-7) Our time is fleeting, and while it’s held in God’s hand, we are not guaranteed that we even have tomorrow. That’s why now is the time to wake up. Now is the time to get focused. Now is the time to get started doing what God has called you to do.
Romans 13:11-12 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. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.”
Isaiah 60:1 says “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.”
There are more verses I could add, but I just feel strongly it’s time to encourage everyone to begin to rise and shine. Put off the old ways, put off your old self, and step into that newness of Christ. Let Jesus refresh you and shine upon you so you can be a light to the world around you. It’s time to reflect His light. I have always said, I am a lightbulb, but He is the light. Let yourself become a light and let His glory shine through you.
Now it’s your turn to dig deeper. Grab your Bible and a journal or some paper and a pen.
Read Ephesians 5:1-20 and Romans 13:8-14 on your own. Take some notes and journal about what you discover. What do you feel like the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about how we should live our lives?
Now let’s apply this scripture through journaling. Write your answers in your journal to the questions below:
- Do you feel there is an area where you may have been spiritually asleep? Or an area you know you should bring to light and surrender it to Christ?
- How can you apply Ephesians 5:15-17 today? Consider how you are living today, are you careful how you live? Are you making the most of every opportunity? Do you understand what the Lord wants you to do? How can you align your life more closely to this verse?
- What is one step you can take today to move closer to this goal? Pray and journal about how you feel God is leading you.
I feel with the virus and with my sickness I really don’t know what to do. I pray for others and read and do more for myself. But for works I’m at a stand still. I feel loss in not helping.
Thanks, Tammy! I know it can be hard to get started sometimes. But you’re on the right track with reading your Bible and praying! Just take small steps as you can, and have faith God will continue to lead you.