Awake from Sleep
Our time, like money, is something we spend. How you spend your time is how you "spend" your life!
We have devoted many of our evening discussions to the problem of sleeplessness. However, many people have the opposite problem; sleeping too much! Night after night you retire at the usual time, but although you may not sleep well, there is always the temptation to sleep in too late. Weekends are especially difficult, since there is less motivation to get up. Unfortunately, this seldom leaves you feeling truly refreshed, but can result in spiritual flabbiness - a state where your vitality is drained.
What is the answer?
God's answer is spiritual discipline. He warns us to "love not sleep." Falling out of love with sleep takes determination and tenacity.
This is all part of becoming a fit soldier in God's army! The Apostle Paul talked about just such discipline when he said, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified...Train yourself toward godliness (piety) - keeping yourself spiritually fit" (1 Corinthians 9:27, NKJV; 1 Timothy 4:7, AMP).
As you go to bed tonight, ask the Lord what time He wants you to get up. Remind yourself that how you spend your time is how you spend your life.
God loves you and wants to answer your prayer. Say this prayer with me:
Heavenly Father, I repent of any spiritual flabbiness in my life through too much sleep. Help me reevaluate my time and spend it wisely for You and to develop a greater intensity of purpose and zeal for that which You would have me arise to do. Thank you for renewing my life so I can look forward to getting up to be with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.