“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” – Eph 5:14

There was a movie about 20 years ago or so called “Awakenings” with Robin Williams.
In the movie — patients in an institution who had been in a catatonic state for decades are miraculously “wakened” by a new wonder drug. People who were essentially in a vegatative state were suddenly having conversations, sharing thoughts, ideas and functioning as normal human beings. Sadly, the drug’s effects wore off, and the one by one the patients slipped back into their silent requiem.

This movie came to mind today. The scenario reminds me of the Christian experience of many a typical disciple.

We may live days that seem like decades in a catatonic haze of work, play,
pleasure, frustration and disappointment.

Hazy, distracted, disconnected from any real thought, meditation or thoughts of God.

And then Sunday comes.

The sun rises gloriously; the worship team inspires, the pastor exhorts and encourages —
the people serve unselfishly, the body interacts pleasingly and for a couple of hours
that morning — all is as it should be.

And it is glorious.

But then on Monday morning, one by one, we slip off to the haze — to the catatonic symphony of
distraction.

David — in Psalm 42 and 43 encourages his own soul.

May we, the church, follow the psalmist’s example, and encourage and rouse our own souls–
singing joyfully and with determination: 

Awake, you who sleep! Arise from the dead!
 And Christ will give you light!

I for one, refuse to ever sleep again.
I will walk in the light of Christ.

Christ — our life and our light.