Awake and Alert
And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]saints (God’s people), 19 and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength. Eph. 1:18-19
Sitting on the deck overlooking the ocean, I was totally engrossed in my writing. The deafening sound caused me to flinch, but my eyes were locked on the computer screen. It was a familiar sound around our condo, because of the nearby air force base. Many times we have stopped and stared at the fighter jets practicing formation. It was only when my husband stepped outside to ask about it, that I realized I never even looked up to catch a glimpse of the jet. Rightly so, he was shocked because it sounded like it was flying right through our deck and into the room where he was. I had no answers to any of his questions because I never saw it.
Pause……
I’m sitting here now a little taller and definitely alert. I closed one document and quickly opened a new blank document. I may have missed the jet experience but I am very attuned to the Spirit that is now speaking.
The Spirit of God speaks in all things. He waits to be heard and seen and known. Even though I missed something in the natural, I will not miss the spiritual.
This is exactly how we go through much of life. Engrossed in our work or pleasure, the familiar sneaks right past us even when it shouts to be noticed. It’s not only the quiet hummingbird, but the terrific sonic boom. What glorious surprises we must miss! God’s creation all around! A familiar family member or friend! The pretty pink sky and the mist lying on the ground! The snore proving there is life! A whisper and a shout! A surprise just to delight us! The little daily things!
Common. Missed. Neglected. Ignored.
The familiar crowds out many delights and opportunities in life. The common becomes more common until we don’t even acknowledge it. It breaks my heart to think of how often I do this with family. I hear the familiar voice, but don’t even look up and give my full attention. I quickly take for granted the small. And then there is the silent scream for help that goes right past me like an unseen fighter jet.
A twenty-three year old memory jets into my thoughts. My heart was still breaking in grief over my deceased husband as I listened to the speaker that day tell how God had sustained her through her own March 3rd nightmare. As she shared her story I felt that I had met someone that knew me and would understand. I waited in a very long line while she graciously spoke to every woman as she autographed books. Knowing that I was last in line, I knew she had to be very tired and spent. I had decided to not connect with her on a personal level but speak and receive my treasured autographed book. As I stepped up to the table, I took a deep breath. I will never forget her response! “Yes? What were you about to say?” She heard me! She heard my soft gasp for air. She looked up with genuine love and treated me like the only person she had seen that day. She wooed me to share my story. Standing up from behind her book table, she held me and healed me.
Who are you missing? What is drowning out the holy?
Lord, awaken me! I have fallen asleep to the common and the familiar. I want to see and hear as you see and hear. Tenderize my heart to others around me. Open my eyes to the wonder of life. I want to live wide-eyed and mystified.