Ephesians 5:14-16, "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Think

Sleep is a vital, often neglected, component of every person's overall health and well-being. It enables the body to refresh and be ready for another day. In short, humans need sleep. Yet today's Bible verse is telling us to wake up! How do you obey a command to wake up from sleep? If your house is on fire and someone cries out, "Wake up! Get out!" you don't obey by waking yourself up. The loud, powerful command awakens you. You obey by doing what alert people do in the face of danger. You get up and leave the house. The call creates the waking. You respond in the power of what the call created - wakefulness. God is sounding the Ephesians 5:14 alarm. He wants us to obey and respond by throwing off the covers of laziness and indifference. He's saying, "Be careful how you live! Watch your step. Stop making unwise decisions. Live smart." So, make the most of the opportunities He is giving you. Stop sleepwalking. Wake up!

 

Act

Set your phone alarm at 5:14, either a.m. or p.m. Every time the alarm goes off over the coming week, read today's verse, as a reminder to wake up and allow Christ to shine on your life.

 

Pray

Dear God, I hear Your call today to wake up. I will respond by living smart. I will take Your Word seriously and apply it to my life. I will make the most of the opportunities You have given me. Thank You for this day. In Jesus' name, Amen.