AWAKE

How easy it is for the senses to go on autopilot. With all the sensory information that bombards us in a given day it is only natural that we would want to cushion ourselves from overload.

Thus for example when driving car it becomes almost second nature to let the mind drift to other thoughts while tooling drown the road. We fail to pay attention to the degree driving truly requires. Most of the time we are fortunate and we arrive at our destination unscathed. However on some occasions no doubt we end up in an accident with our distractions contributing to the consequence.

Being human I think means we have to appreciate that is a part of life that will no doubt haunt us as long as we live. Accepting though can be tough. Which is evident by the number of times when this contributed to some blunder and we prefer to lie than admit the truth.

Spiritually I believe God understands this element in our nature. I don’t think he has any unrealistic expectations in terms of our minds wandering from time to time. Although it doesn’t have to be true I can help wondering if it is a factor on why there are so many occasion when God takes years preparing a person for certain callings.

I marvel at the good intention attempts some churches make to try and prepare a worship service that will totally immerse a person in the event. And truly expect anyone can maintain a level of concentration for the entire service.

Of course nobody admits to the fact that in the midst of such intense efforts their minds still wander. That would be way to truthful.

Yet it is often the truth. But we are still at times too hesitant for fear of what somebody else thinks to admit that perhaps we aren’t as spiritual as we want to think we are.

For myself, I find my relationship with the Lord waxes and wanes in intensity. There are moments when it literally scars my memory from the overwhelming emotion and spiritual encounter. Often this happen when I’m not even somewhere considered spiritual.

In other cases in places I assume that would be inclined to produce such reactions I find that I feel nothing. I can even find the moment to be boring at times.

As far as I’m concerned I think the message I’ve come to understand is that God truly does want a personal relationship with him. We are to see our Lord and Savior as above all a person. One who truly knows when we are awake and when our souls are dosing.

It is okay if he knows because then he’ll be sure he gets our attention when we are wide awake. Even if it isn’t in some place one normally thinks would have a spiritual alarm clock.