Today the rain makes its way violently to my windshield in a blustery wind. I turn the wipers on and shiver as I wait for the car to warm up. I’m heading to a coffee shop to work and grab some soup for lunch, because, what else do you do on a dark and stormy afternoon?
I stayed up too late last night finishing papers that I put off too long, and all I’d really like to do is take a nap. But there is much to be done. When conditions are right, I feel like I can conquer the world, but at other moments, I’d rather just bundle up in a blanket and tune out the world to the tune of a binge-worthy Netflix show.
Some days, we go through the motions. We do what must be done, because it is what must be done. We fulfill the requirements, punch in and punch out, to fulfill our daily ritual of “adulting.” We can’t wait for Friday to come, and as soon as it does, we begin dreading Monday.
It made me reflect today, because it came to me that it feels as if the world is just waiting. Waiting for something to interrupt the routine and the mundane. Those of us who have hope live as if we don’t far too often. Have we forgotten our reason for hope? Have we lost sight of the vibrant life we have been given? It seems to me that even those of us who have put our hope in Christ are at times still living a sleepy, tired faith.
It does seem though, that this might be precisely the life that the enemy would have us lead. Living static, sleepy, silenced lives, surrounded by distraction and discouragement until we resemble the world we are meant to stand out from, because how can we share the hope we have if we have forgotten that we have it?
All of this reflection reminded me of Ephesians where it says:
“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.For this reason it says,“Awake, sleeper,And arise from the dead,And Christ will shine on you.”Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.-Ephesians 5:13-16
This sleepy state of being isn’t a death sentence, but the need for a wake up call. We have been called and purposed by our Creator, so what are we waiting for?
The world is waiting in restless anticipation.
In hope of redemption.
For the light to burst into the darkness of the world that, until Christ arrived, was void of hope and life.
Caffeinated Theologian 