Have you ever tried to fight off sleep? Maybe sleep knocks at your door during a critical point in a late night movie? Or perhaps as you are trying to unwind from a busy day you find yourself drifting in and out from a state of sleep and awareness? Either way when sleep arrives it’s near impossible to just “put it off.” Well, I found myself in such a state of being, a few nights ago, as I was doing my best to keep awake long enough to find out what winter weather may be coming my way. That night I lost the battle; and having fallen asleep I missed the weather, but not what God had planned for me later that evening. It was about 10:40ish when I woke back up with lights off and the TV still running. By now I had captured enough sleep to recharge my battery and also felt that familiar rumbling of the late night munchies coming on. As I rolled out of bed I made my way to the kitchen and just as I was passing the dining room I heard my phone ring. As a pastor the late night or early morning calls seldom bring good news; but also as a pastor you learn to never let those calls just drop to voicemail. Answering the phone I was surprised to hear the voice of a fellow pastor, and friend, who wanted to share with me some important and brief thoughts. Our conversation lasted no longer than ten minutes but the deposit of hope, friendship and faith he passed along kept me up for hours after we hung up. I skipped the pantry and went back to bed thinking on the contents of our conversation and this time, with the TV off, I collected my thoughts and prayed. It was an odd feeling that within the span of 40 minutes I had gone from sleep to wide awake and now prayer which drew me closer to spending time with Jesus and further from the concerns of weather, my daily routine or what might happen tomorrow.
When such moments occur, in our lives, we either want to doze back off and ignore the “late night phone call” or retreat from the battle that forces us to break our routines, and moods, so we can press in closer to Jesus. I will be the first to admit it is difficult to get out of “our business” and live the type of life where we look for opportunities to experience the Holy Spirit and develop our devotion to Him. When I reflect on lives Jesus routinely encountered it often seems those who were closest, to Him, missed even greater opportunities to know Him more intimately in favor of self or sleep. This is not to say the disciples, save Judas, were sinister or in some ways ungrateful. But their lack of knowing Him highlights a fundamental issue with us. Often we complain about not experiencing God, or “feeling” His outpouring; but when I think of my late night call I also wonder how many times did Jesus invite me to join Him and I just allowed the call to drop or went back to sleep? Can I honestly assign fault with God for my lack understanding Him? I think not.
When the late night call, or any call for that matter, comes we have to get out of ourselves and step into engaging Him continually. In times of prayer, praise, worship, reading, living and hearing the Word we have the unique occasion to daily experience God Incarnate (Jesus) and such moments should never be neglected. In times of growing global uncertainty, natural concern and spiritual drought the Christian should press his or her ear even closer to the heart of the King. We need to always be those who are clearing out more than enough room, in our lives, to allow His Holy Spirit to dwell in our midst. Today I want to encourage you to open up your lines of communication, leave the phone on ready and be prepared for Jesus to call. He desires to share His will for all who truly want to develop a lasting relationship with Him.
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Grace and Peace
JOSHUA