Spring Forward but Stay Awake!

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Spring forward. Fall back. Two phrases that change our lives twice a year as we observe Daylight Savings Time in the Spring or Mountain Standard Time in the Fall. Today we set our clocks an hour forward and lose an hour of sleep. Often it throws us off schedule, making us sleepy when we need to be awake.

The disciples struggled with sleepiness, too. I’m sure their days were long and hard as they journeyed with Jesus throughout each day of his ministry. They were caught napping more than once and Jesus warned them about staying awake, but they didn’t know what to say.

“Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before.  When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.”
Mark 14:39-41 New Living Translation

I’m sure Jesus has caught us napping and we had no idea what to say to Him.  It’s easy to get sleepy spiritually when we move through life’s routines at a hectic pace. Our focus shifts to what lies directly before us in this life and we fail to remember that we have a limited amount of time on this earth, just as Jesus warned the disciples of that fact.

“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.”
Romans 13:11-12 New Living Translation

It’s a good time to renew our focus on eternal things as we observe Lent and read Scripture about Christ’s life and journey to the cross. Stay alert in His word and you won’t be caught sleeping when He returns, because that day will be the beginning of a new life in Him.

“But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.  For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.” 
1 Thessalonians 5: 4-6, 9-10 New Living Translation

Copyright text and photo Desiree Bustamante