When you gonna wake up? ∙∙

When you gonna wake up? ∙∙

Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain. – Revelation 3:2

Mark 14:34-41

34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.
36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?”
38 “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before.
40 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.
41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no – the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

Modern life can be very hectic and unsettling. We are often worn down, worn out, and exhausted. It is way too easy to give in to our weariness and fall asleep.

Endless Streams, Hidden Drawbacks

The advancements of the 21st century have placed endless streams of entertainment right at our fingertips. With a simple click, we can access nearly anything we desire whenever we want. Yet this ease comes with drawbacks. How often do we find ourselves zoning out, letting our minds drift, or even falling asleep mid-stream, only to wake up later and realize we’ve missed most of what we were watching or listening to? It’s a common misstep, but what’s more concerning is how similar patterns emerge in our spiritual lives, often leading to far significant collateral damage.

The Danger of Spiritual Drowsiness

Just like falling into a mental fog during a movie or podcast, we can become spiritually drowsy, lulled into a dangerous state of complacency. Our connection with God fades, and without realizing it, we drift away, lost in a kind of self-imposed spiritual coma. This is when we’re often unaware of just how distant, or even lifeless, we’ve become.

Biblical Warnings Against Spiritual Slumber

Spiritual comas are nothing new. The children of the King have suffered from them throughout history. The Bible gives stark examples of spiritual slumber. The apostle John delivers one such jarring warning to the church in Revelation 3:1 when he writes, “I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.” Such a bold statement strips away any illusions.

How is it possible to have the appearance of life but, spiritually speaking, be dead inside? It happens when we grow so entangled with earthly values and the influences of the world around us that our faith becomes shallow and hollow, a name we carry but no longer live by (i.e., “nominally” Christian).

A Lesson from the Prodigal Son

Take the story of the prodigal son. He left his father’s house, squandered his inheritance, and ended up lost, broken, and alone. His father’s words when he finally returns are haunting yet descriptive of his condition. “This son of mine was dead,” the father says in Luke 15:24. He wasn’t physically dead, but spiritually. He had lost his way, disconnected from his identity, and fallen into a state of spiritual ruin. Many children of the King find themselves in a similar condition—not entirely dead but, as the line from “The Princess Bride” humorously puts it, “only mostly dead.” They’re hanging by a thread, needing desperately to wake up, remember who they are, and return to the life God intended for them.

A Call to Wake Up and Strengthen

The apostle John doesn’t mince words in his urgent call to action. “Wake up, and strengthen what remains” (Revelation 3:2). The Greek word gregoreo, translated as “wake up,” carries the sense of “being vigilant, alert, and fully present.” It’s a stirring command to “shake off the haze of apathy, to open one’s eyes, and to seize the moment before it’s too late.”

The Greek word translated as “strengthen” is sterizo. Sterizo means, in this context, “to restore to strength, renew, invigorate, and put strength (vigor) back into.” NJB translates as “put some resolve into what little vigor you have left” (UBS). It’s not just about waking up. Instead, it emphasizes “rebuilding the feeble remnants of our faith, revitalizing with unwavering commitment and energy what’s still alive.” Imagine nursing an ember back to a bright flame. It takes effort and focus, but it’s not impossible.

A Promise of Renewal in Christ

Paul offers a similar rallying cry in Ephesians 5:14: “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” This verse offers a promise. Waking up from spiritual slumber isn’t something we have to do alone. Christ will meet us in that moment, pouring His light into our lives, reigniting our purpose, and guiding us back to the fullness of life He promises.

REFLECT & PRAY

Spiritual slumber is an all-too-common struggle among children of the King. It’s far too easy to drift off mentally and spiritually, losing sight of the purpose and calling placed on our lives. To break free, we need to take an honest look at ourselves. A spiritual self-check is required.

Father, I humbly acknowledge the weakness of my flesh. There are moments when I find myself drifting and falling into complacency. Father, please awaken my heart and mind. Help me become vigilant, focused, and steadfast in seeking to live in obedience to Your will.

INSIGHT

The Struggle Between Spirit and Flesh

We often find ourselves brimming with the willingness to serve God in our spirit, but the weakness of our flesh holds us back. This struggle is not new; even the disciples faced it in the Garden of Gethsemane. They were weary and overwhelmed, and despite Jesus giving them two simple instructions—to watch and pray—they ultimately failed. Their physical exhaustion overpowered their spiritual resolve.

The words of the Lord Jesus Christ echo through time as a reminder to us all: “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). These words highlight a sobering reality that we face in our spiritual lives.

The Fading Flames of Enthusiasm

It’s natural to begin our spiritual walk with fervor and excitement. However, over time, that burning enthusiasm can flicker and fade, leaving us lethargic and unmotivated. We may still go through the motions of faith, but it’s as though we are spiritually sleepwalking. Yet no matter how faint or weak, there are always “things that remain” within us, remnants of our faith that God urges us to strengthen.

God is actively at work in the world and in our lives. He has a purpose for each of us, but to fulfill it, we must fight against spiritual stagnation and boredom. We cannot settle into mediocrity. Instead, we are called to be alert, engaged, and ready to grow in faith and purpose.

Be Like the Sons of Issachar

The Bible challenges us to emulate the sons of Issachar, described in 1 Chronicles 12:32 as “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what they should do.” These were men of wisdom and discernment, who could read the signs of the times and act accordingly. We, too, are called to sharpen our spiritual insight, understand the challenges of our time, and align our actions with the Father’s will.

This requires vigilance, prayer, and readiness to discern God’s plans for our lives. We must rise above the noise of the world and stay focused on the mission He has given us.

A Wake-Up Call from Modern Times

Bob Dylan, a reluctant prophet of modern times, reflected the sentiments and bewilderment of a generation. This iconic musician and seemingly unlikely convert to Christianity in the 1970s captured this yearning in his album “Slow Train Coming.” Through powerful and thought-provoking lyrics, Dylan reflected on spiritual awakening, conviction, and the state of humanity. His songs serve as a poignant wake-up call that can pierce through the layers of our spiritual complacency. They remind us that the time to act is now.

Time to Wake Up

We cannot stay in a state of spiritual slumber. The Father is calling us to wake up, open our hearts and minds, and rise to the purpose He has set for us. The remnants of our faith, no matter how small, can be rekindled into a vibrant flame when we turn to Him with courage and determination.

Now is the time to stand up, reject mediocrity, and step fully into the life God has prepared for us. The spirit may be willing and the flesh weak, but through prayer, vigilance, and God’s strength, we can overcome and be renewed.

When you gonna wake up (Bob Dylan)

God don’t make promises that He don’t keep
You got some big dreams baby, but in order to dream you gotta still be asleep.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up strengthen the things that remain?

You got innocent men in jail, your insane asylums are filled
You got unrighteous doctors dealing drugs that’ll never cure your ills.

You got men who can’t hold their peace and woman who can’t control their tongues
The rich seduce the poor and the old are seduced by the young.

Adulterers in churches and pornography in the schools
You got gangsters in power and lawbreakers making rules.

Spiritual advisors and gurus to guide your every move
Instant inner peace and every step you take has got to be approved.

Do you ever wonder just what God requires?
You think He’s just an errand boy to satisfy your wandering desires.

You can’t take it with you and you know that it’s too worthless to be sold
They tell you, “Time is money” as if your life was worth its weight in gold.

There’s a man up on a cross and He’s been crucified for you
Believe in His power that’s about all you got to do.

When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

¯_(ツ)_/¯6-13-2

© Dr. H 2025