The spark ∙

The spark ∙

Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light. – Ephesians 5:14

Romans 13:11-14

11 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.
12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.
13 Because we belong to the day . . ..
14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Birding and the Spark

Tom and Phoebe planned their first outing in the summer of 2024, a classic date at the beach. Excitement filled the air as they anticipated a day of sand, surf, and conversation. But what unfolded was far from ordinary. Their day unexpectedly transformed into an encounter with the fascinating hobby of birding.

Birding, or birdwatching, involves observing and identifying birds in their natural habitats. It’s a pastime that requires minimal resources yet offers boundless joy and can lead one to explore the farthest corners of the world.

Discovering Birding

For those interested in starting this rewarding hobby, only three essentials are needed:

1. A bird guide to identify species.
2. A good pair of binoculars to observe details.
3. A positive, adventurous attitude.

While strolling through the marshy trails near the beach, Tom and Phoebe found themselves immersed in the diverse beauty of local birdlife. They spotted elegant egrets, a striking glossy ibis, a magnificent anhinga, a great blue heron, a pair of dunlins, and other indigenous birds. What started as a simple outing quickly became a captivating experience, leaving Tom particularly enchanted.

Tom continued to think about the birds. He was more or less drawn in and mesmerized. He could not get them out of his mind. Tom experienced what birders call the “spark”—that pivotal moment when a person feels a deep connection to birding. This newfound passion begins to resonate in their heart and mind, altering their perspective and awakening a love for the beauty of creation.

Spiritual Parallels to the Spark

Many children of the King exist in a state of spiritual slumber. Some are caught in a dreary spiritual stupor, almost comatose, and they are unaware of the wonders that await them. In His boundless grace, the Father has a unique way of sparking their interest, much like Tom’s sudden enthusiasm for birding.

At the perfect time, determined by His wisdom, the Father provides a “spark” to reawaken hearts. This divine intervention shifts the trajectory of the lives of the children of the King, leading them toward His light and transforming them forever.

The Call to Awaken

The Bible often speaks about this awakening. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, captures the essence of God’s call to His people to rise from their spiritual slumber: “Wake up, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)

These words were likely sung as a hymn by early Christians, reminding believers of the transforming power of Christ’s light. Every child of God is a beneficiary of this illuminating, life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Light to Reflect

As Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld explains, this hymn resonates with earlier blessings found in Scriptures. It echoes: the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26. Isaiah 60:1-5 invokes God’s people not only to awaken but also radiate with His glory, inviting others to experience His grace.

Isaiah 60:1-5: “Arise, Jerusalem! Shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Darkness covers the earth, but the LORD rises upon you, and His glory appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will see your radiance. Your sons and daughters will return, and your heart will thrill with joy.”

Isaiah’s proclamation reminds us that the glory of the Lord dispels even the deepest darkness. Just as the nations are drawn to the light of God, so too are His followers called to reflect His radiance in a world that often feels shrouded in spiritual darkness.

REFLECT & PRAY

Spiritual sleep often resembles a state of dullness, like drunken forgetfulness. The darkness of the present age is at work to shroud the Light which has come into the world.

Father, thank You for never leaving me to sleep in darkness. Thank You for waking me up and inviting me to seek the glorious light of Your presence. Ignite within me a fire that burns unquenchably, allowing Your power to transform my soul and shine through my life.

INSIGHT

The Story of Roberta

Roberta was the very definition of a Proverbs 31 woman. She was kind, loving, and selflessly devoted to others. Generous and wise, she carried the light of grace wherever she went. She did not have a selfish or mean bone in her body. For nearly 40 years, she was married to the love of her life, a bond forged in their early 20s. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with love and joy.

But everything changed in an instant. Roberta’s husband passed away suddenly, and her heart broke beyond measure. Her grief consumed her, leaving her hollow and lost. For over six years, she mourned, retreating into a sorrow so deep that the spark of life within her began to wane.

Then came another unthinkable loss. During this season of grief, she lost one of her two beloved daughters. The pain was unbearable. What had once been sorrowful heartache turned to numbness. Her emotions froze, and she was left depleted, deadened within. It seemed as though the light in her soul had dimmed for good.

A Miraculous Renewal

But the Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, had a plan. Without Roberta’s knowledge, He was working in the background to bring about her restoration. At the perfect moment, something began to stir.

Slowly and unexpectedly, Roberta emerged from the fog of her grief. A divine thaw began to warm her frozen heart. Yet she was unaware of what was happening or why she felt the faint stirrings of life again.

At this critical moment, Roberta encountered a godly man. A single interaction, just a few hours in his presence, ignited a transformation within her. The spark of life returned to her soul, and she blossomed from within. Once again, her heart was full of joy and radiant love. She became vibrant, almost giddy with happiness.

This profound renewal was nothing short of miraculous. Only the Father, the eternal King of the universe, could have orchestrated such a transformation.

A Spark for All

The story of Roberta’s renewal is a reminder of the Father’s great desire to do the same for every child of the King. He longs to light the fire of eternal life within every heart, burning away sorrow and replacing it with joy through the Holy Spirit.

This divine spark transforms not only how we live but why we live. It compels us to shine His light brightly in a darkened world. The Father desires for every child of the King to experience a vibrant life connected to Him, one that reflects His love and light to those around us.

Time to Awaken

The urgency for this awakening is real. As we draw closer to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, the Father calls us to burn brightly and live out our purpose.

Romans 13:11-14: “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. Remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

The apostle Paul uses vivid imagery to compare the life of nonbelievers to darkness and the life of believers to radiant light. Barclay reminds us, “Non-Christians are not just in the dark; they are darkness. Christians are not just in the light; they are light.”

The Light Comes

The light of the children of the King comes from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. It pierces even the darkest darkness, exposing pain, sorrow, and sin, so that healing and renewal can occur. This thought is illuminated in Psalms 139:24: “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

The illuminating penetration of the light of Christ strips away the darkness that holds us back, allowing God to transform us into His image. For many, it becomes an irresistible force that burns deep within. The prophet Jeremiah experienced this very thing,
Jeremiah 20:9: “His word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”

Jeremiah’s cry reflects the unstoppable power of God’s Word and Spirit within us. It is a fire that transforms us from the inside out, compelling us to live boldly for Him.

The Father’s Desire

The Father’s purpose for His children is not just to survive life but to thrive with holy fire burning within. He wants us to wake from spiritual slumber and shine brightly, with His Spirit as our guide.

But the choice to accept this transformation rests with each of us. It is our decision to make. Will we allow the Holy Spirit to set our hearts ablaze? Will we surrender to the miraculous work of renewal and light that the Father longs to perform in our lives?

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© Dr. H 2025