lenten 40: day 3 - awake

image 3.

scripture.
¹¹And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
~Romans 13:11

words of wisdom.
Arise, then; but do so at once, without delay. Do not defer your purpose till "tonight" or "tomorrow" or "later, when I have finished what I have to do just now." The interval may be fatal.

No, this moment, the instant you make your resolution, you will show by your action that you have taken leave of your old self and have now begun a new life, with a new destination and a new way of living. Arise, therefore, without fear and say: Lord, let me begin now. Help me! For what you need above all is God's help. . Hold fast to your purpose and do not look back.
~ Tito Colliander (Way of the Ascetics) as posted on 1053 Lenten Study: ON A RESOLUTE AND SUSTAINED PURPOSE.

scripture.
¹³Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
~Romans 13:13-14 (NIV)

Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!
~Romans 13:14 (The Message)

reflection.
there are those days where it's really hard to get out of bed in the morning. hard night's sleep. pressures of the day. lethargy. laziness. boredom. sickness. stress. yet what good can get accomplished if we do not rise up? yes, certainly there is a time and a place for rest. Jesus often retreated to pray and rest on his own. but the time came for him to return and to face the day. and face the day he did: clothed in righteousness.

there is a difference, though, between resting in the presence of God and sleeping in. lying in bed, out-sleeping the shining sun, usually leads to more tiredness. movement gets the juices flowing. lying around, wallowing in the sinful nature leads to pressures, laziness, boredom and sickness. but movement gets the juices flowing.

Paul, in Romans 13, compels us to action. Rise up! the morning bell has rung. put on the garment of Christ Jesus and leave behind the instant gratification of sin. after all, that 'sugar-high' will always lead to a crash... and burn.

lent is a time of leaving behind. self-denial is the tool.

wake up! quit hitting the snooze bar.