Awakened

These last few weeks I’ve really felt God laying on my heart to start a blog; and I have no idea why. I’m not the best writer in the world, my grammar is terrrrible, and I definitely do not always have the right words to say. But today as I sat here doing my quiet time, the Lord just told me to open my laptop and begin to write out what I was thinking.

For the past four months I have been reading over and over again Christine Caine’s book, Undaunted. It has motivated me in my spiritual life drastically. 

First, start by reading this verse to yourself, focusing on the word "me."

Luke 4:18  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”  

People just like us, made in God’s image, are suffering all over the world right this minute. So many people on this earth spend their days simply trying to stay alive, facing various forms of oppression. Our disconnection with those people does not make the abuses in this world, those injustices, any less. God wants us to be awakened, so we can rise ready, and do what we are called to do.

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.” 

When our eyes are closed, injustice and pain can take over the earth. Once we’ve been awakened, we can see the evil and respond to it. This means seeing the world more with God’s eyes and being Jesus’ hands and feet. It means actively looking for ways to help people daily. 

So, rise ready once you have become awakened. This means seeing others needs and reaching out to meet those needs. Whether that means listening to a friend who is going through a hard time or giving up a few coffees a month to sponsor a child in another country. When you’re fully awakened, when you’re rising ready, you will find that you’ve been missing out on some great wonders. 

We live in a world full of darkness. But we are the LIGHT.  

Matthew 5:14-16 “A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Light is what eliminates darkness. As His hands and feet, we are the force that takes on darkness. Jesus tells us to keep our eyes on Him. Once fear no longer controls you and Christ is walking by your side, you are undaunted-- and eager to find some darkness.

Isaiah 60: 1-2 “ Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you. And His glory will be seen upon you.”

Jesus wants us to bring light into dark places--that is why he gives us a new morning everyday. And at the same time he gives us night. A time to rest and restore ourselves because it isn’t the work we do that sets us free. He does NOT want us to be held captive by the idea that work sets us free. Because we are not being held captive…we are not slaves... we have already been set FREE! Jesus went on my behalf, out of love, walking wide awake through this world, freeing prisoners. We were freed in order to share what we’ve been given. 

It is time to be encouraged and go out--undaunted.