The Wake-Up Call
Have you ever received a wake-up call at a hotel? They can be annoying or they can be convenient, depending on how you look at it. But I’m sure most of us have experienced a wake up call at some level. It’s meant to help us get started for a new day. It’s meant to assist us in getting up when we don’t want to.
This Easter season we are celebrating the wake-up call that changed the world!
Jesus woke up on the third day, giving everyone hope and new beginnings. On that Sunday morning everything changed for the world. It signified a new opportunity to receive life and life more abundantly. People from all nations, people from every status and stage of life could experience Jesus in a real way.
Yes, God came and changed things forever. This wake-up call enabled Jesus to defeat death, hell and the grave. However, this victory wasn’t just for Him personally. It was for all mankind so we could overcome our enemy and we could overcome what tries to conquer us. From this wake-up call we now have hope for tomorrow, we have hope for eternity and we have hope to be with Jesus.
“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
John 20:19-21
Just think about the first time the disciples saw Jesus after the wake up call. It had to rock their world yet at the same time empower them in their faith. And what’s awesome is that these disciples were just like you and me. So if God can use them, God can use you and me. Our lives have purpose and meaning because of the wake-up call that changed the world.
You see, it’s from this event that now we have life everlasting. We can do good as we live out our days. This is huge because we find true joy and true purpose when we live beyond me, myself, and I. It’s in this moment that we learn the power of giving to something bigger than ourselves. The greatest thing we could ever do besides live for Jesus is to help someone come to Jesus!
The question we must answer is: Are we hearing our wake-up call?
Jesus heard His, and He got up. Will we hear ours and rise up? I believe that Jesus is giving each of us our own wake-up call to arise in purpose, love, life, peace, and healing. It’s this opportunity that changes our world. And you and I have a part to play. You and I have something to give, and you and I have something to do. Which is why it’s so important that we respond to our wake-up call.
I believe today the wake-up call for each of us is different, but the response is the same. We wake up. Meaning that we wake up and take our next steps and do what God would have us do. This could be big or small things, but the emphasis is that we take a step. That we move forward.
For you this could be mending a broken relationship. It could be forgiving someone who has done you wrong. It could be loving someone who’s difficult. It could be letting God heal your heart from past experiences. It could be to start giving your tithes and offerings to God. It could be to start serving in your local church. It could be to make adjustments in your marriage or your parenting. The point is, all of us have a wake-up call, and when we hear it, feel it and sense it, we have to respond. Jesus responded to His wake-up call, and because of this you and I have life and hope.
It’s my encouragement to step out, to reach up, and to let God in your heart and a whole new way! I believe each of us is receiving a wake-up call from heaven to have more of God, to receive more of God and to be what he wants you to be. No matter what you’re facing this Easter season, the wake up call that changed the world is reaching out to you. Jesus is reaching with love. Jesus is reaching with grace & mercy. He is giving you and me a divine moment to respond to Him.
I pray this Easter you and I will respond to His wake up call and move forward in his plan.
Happy Easter,
PD