(Read Luke 21)
Traditionally, “woke” was a past tense conjugation of “wake.” According to Merriam-Webster, there’s now a slang version meaning “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues, especially issues of racial and social justice.” In the modern world, woke is a chic attribute many seek as a badge of honor. My good friend (D) presents a drastically different angle on being attentive to important issues and facts.
For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:35-36
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus warned of temptations like “carousing, drunkenness and other anxieties of life.” To combat this, He urged His disciples to stay awake at all times to withstand these distractions and provide a firm foundation to stand before God one day.
Persistent prayer and watchfulness are Christian duties for no other reason than Jesus told us to. He wants us to be prepared for His unexpected arrival when He returns. While talking with (D) the other day, I told him, “You are the most awake (woke) person I know.” I used the words in my terms, not the world’s.
(D) is a quiet, unassuming, brilliant soul who is a living example of God’s grace. He is not one to speak up in large settings, but when he does, everyone listens. He is a profound follower of Christ, and his faith is evident in his words and actions. “I was a zoology major in college, but the Air Force gave me nine months of comm-electronic training to become a Communications Maintenance Officer. Talk about Jesus walking with me!” It is only when you get to know (D) that you see the light and armor of God that powers his life.
During his 27 years of service in the Air Force, (D) met the love of his life, had three children, and raised a family based on the same guiding principles he lived by. I have only known him for the past five years, but I feel more awake and alive in Christ because of his actions and character traits. “I tell people all the answers in life are in the BIBLE (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). I’m strengthened by the fact that I love Him, and He loves me.”
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
I’m quite familiar with this scripture and always curious about its relevance to someone’s walk. (D) is spiritually mature and knows this Scripture isn’t a guaranteed wish list or a get-out-of-jail-free card. “It’s just one of the first verses I ever memorized (after John 3:16). Throughout my career or whenever facing a difficult situation; it came in handy knowing Christ was on my side.”
Paul, the author of Philippians, wasn’t saying that Jesus Christ will grant you anything you want or that you are free to do impossible things, but rather no matter what your circumstances are, you can be encouraged in it because He is there with you. It’s an assurance that you can do whatever God calls you to do. It’s not an assurance that you can do whatever you want. Some translations of Philippians 4:13 say I can do “everything” rather than “all things.” Perhaps, this illustrates God’s message even better. Everything includes healthy and sick, abundance and poverty, companionship and loneliness. Power isn’t given to us to prevent these things but to endure and embrace them with God by our side.
(D)’s wife fought a tragic battle with cancer. She, too, lived a life of grace. During this time and after, (D) drew his core strength on His relationship with God. Along with the pain and anxiety was his faith. “There are definitely times I know Jesus was carrying (P) and me. We went through some financial valleys that the only ways things added up had to be loaves and fishes type miracle(s).” (D) dug deeper in his explanation of his hope in Christ. “What gives me hope is just leaning on His promises… first and foremost, His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me.”
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5 NIV
Joshua was an account of the Israelites’ return to the promised land. At the culmination of this journey, God fulfilled His promise to give the land “of milk and honey” to Jacob’s descendants. It required military battles to conquer this land, and Joshua focused Israel on the truth that only God could lead them to victory if they trusted Him. Our ultimate victory comes not because Joshua was a great leader, Israel was a great nation or anything we have done, but because God is great and true. When God assures us that He is with us, that is sufficient for all of us seeking to do His will. By saying He will not forsake us, we can rest knowing that He will never stop loving us, give up on us, and always be faithful to His promises — even if we aren’t.
Speaking about this verse in Joshua, (D) commented, “That has given me hope, especially over the last two years, that I am NOT alone, and one day I’ll be reunited with (P).” He doesn’t complain about his loneliness, and no matter the despair he wakes up to or goes to bed with each day, it does not strip the joy of Christ from him. You would never know.
The world’s first known lighthouse was in the ancient city of Alexandria, Egypt. Metaphorically, lighthouses symbolize passage amidst danger, strength, truth, and guidance. God was a lighthouse to the Israelites returning from exile: the truth, the light, the way. In a lesser but similar way, (D) is a lighthouse to those who know him.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31
God’s good purposes for us can never be thwarted no matter what opposes us, whether outside or within. This is because God is sovereign over all things, and He has a good plan for our lives. We trust that God is working everything together for our good, even when we face opposition.
Whether the forces of evil that are at work in the world, the spiritual forces of darkness, the challenges we face in this life, or the future events that we cannot see
Paul says that none of these things can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Why? Because God’s love is greater than anything that we can face.
“Romans 8:31 was my backup. All worries then set aside.” (D) said. The simplicity and strength of his statement explained a lot to me about how deep his faith is. The more I thought about (D)’s faith, the more I am reminded about many people I know who are also alive in Christ, despite their suffering. Everyone has something deeper and darker going on in their lives, but the glory that shines outward is the light of Christ.
(D) recently shared a text exchange he had with his son, whereby he gave some wise advice. It was a perfect reflection of his attitude, his skills as a father, and his insight into the Christian outlook. His son was “grousing about an unqualified” boss based on his son’s perspective, but (D) saw the situation as a loving father who might understand more about leadership from a Christian point of view. (D) replied, “So what? That position is a management leadership position where what is important is management/leadership/team-building skills. People skills are what’s important. What you should hope for is just a “boss” that lets you do your job and trusts you and your recommendations to get it done. Taking care of their people helps ensure their people take care of them.”
Woke signifies a past-tense status or a socio-political connotation. Being awake is an active role. It’s in the moment, aware, alive, alert, and prepared. Jesus calls us to be vigilant to threats facing us and to pray always in order to stand before Him one day without fear. (D) is a father, grandfather, friend, a disciple of Christ who is awake to God’s word. Let’s get the sleep out of our eyes and be the same.
Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians 5:14
Key Applications to follow Jesus’ command to “watch and pray”:
- We can pray for God’s protection and guidance. Where do you turn for this safety net? If it’s anywhere or anyone but God, you’re looking at the wrong place. Read Luke 21.
- Build strong relationships with other believers. This should be a no-brainer, but we frequently dismiss it, thinking that going to church is a suitable replacement. It’s not. We can do more!
- We can share the gospel with others. We are “commissioned” to do this. It’s not easy, but it all starts with a conversation.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.