WATCHING, WAITING, OR SLEEPING

The Bible often uses the terms watching or waiting to speak of prayer and sleep to speak of prayerlessness. When I think about how important prayer is and the mighty things that are accomplished through it, my thoughts often wander to muse upon the job of a waiter or waitress at a restaurant. A skilled waiter or waitress always has their eye on those they are serving and is ready at any moment to do anything necessary to make their dining experience rewarding and fulfilling.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)

Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Luke 22:46 (NIV)

Matthew 26:40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? (NLT)

it is easy to get focused on self and the things of this world more than God and therefore miss out on the power of waiting upon the Lord. More times than I would like to admit, I have found myself busy serving myself instead of serving God and those around me. I have realized that the more I focus my attention on God and his love, the more successful I am at serving those around me.

When it comes to the love of God, I pray you keep this thought before you; “You can never work it up – you must soak it up.” Your moment-by-moment relationship with God is the key to a life that looks like Jesus. The recognition of God within you and all around you is the beginning of life-changing intimacy with God! Those who learn to wait upon the Lord are those who will walk in the power of God! I don’t know about you, but this speaks to me! I love to be challenged and encouraged! I am taking inventory today by asking myself the question, am I...

WATCHING, WAITING, OR SLEEPING