Wake Me Up
Written by Sarah Comer
I remember the first time that I really felt God speaking to me. March 3rd marked seven years ago. It wasn’t audible for me, but I knew without a doubt that it was the Lord. I remember lying on my floor writing in my journal, heart pounding, eyes weeping, and knowing that the Lord was speaking to me.
As I have grown, my spiritual life has done the same. However, there have also been times where I had the hardest time focusing on what the Lord had to say. Sometimes from lack of asking Him. Other times from an abundance of distractions. I’d heard all my life, “The Lord will lead you; you just have to listen.” Yet, still I questioned if He was hearing my prayers, if he was near me, if he saw me in tough situations. I never questioned if God was real; I just questioned if God cared about me.
On Sunday morning, we began exploring the story of Lazarus in John 11. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha, and he was suffering from illness. Scripture says that the sisters sent word to Jesus that the one he loved was sick. After hearing this, Jesus stays where he was for two days before telling his disciples that it was time to visit Judea to pay a visit to Lazarus. The disciples respond in shock saying,
“A short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” John 11:8
Then we read in John 11:9-10:
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light.10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
I’ve been to church my entire life, and I have heard the incredible sacrifice that Christ has died for me many, many times. That never loses power for me. However, when I read this on Sunday, it jumped off the page at me.
“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
What Jesus did in this passage in raising Lazarus from the dead was absolutely miraculous. But, I couldn’t help but think of it in another perspective.
How many times have I fallen asleep, yet Jesus comes to me to wake me up?
Jesus risked being stoned again to be there for Lazarus. Why on earth would I believe that He wouldn’t do the same for me?
The truth is, I skipped over an important part of this passage with this perspective in mind. At the beginning, in John 11:3, Scripture says:
“So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’”
We’re told over and over how much Jesus loves us. Therefore, aren’t we also “the one He loves?”
He really would be stoned again just to come wake us up when we’ve fallen asleep. When we feel like we’re lost, alone, weak, or failing, He cares enough to wake us up and show us how loved we truly are. When we feel like we can’t hear Him or He isn’t there, He wakes us up. And, He’d do anything to do exactly that.
As I flashback to the times that I’ve felt spiritually asleep, I recognize one truth: I always have woken up. Yet, that truth points entirely to something else that I have to be awake to see: He has loved me so much that He does whatever it takes to wake me up again.
Take comfort today, friends. When you spiritually feel like the covers are pulled over your head and you’re staying in bed all day, you will be cared for by a Savior that will do whatever it takes to wake you up. You were created for more than staying in bed. Have faith; He will wake you every time.