Arise:

Are we left here on our own?
Can you feel when your last breath is gone?
Night is weighing heavy now
Be quiet and wait for a voice that will say:

Come awake
From sleep, arise
You were dead
You’ve come alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light
Bring us back to life

You are not the only one
Who feels like the only one
Night soon will be lifted friend
Just be quiet and wait for the voice that will say

Come awake
From sleep, arise
You were dead
You’ve come alive
Wake up wake up
Open your eyes
Climb from your grave
Into the light
Bring us back to life

We will shine


-David Crowder Band / Come Awake



For the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
   “Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”

-Paul / Ephesians 5:14

Awaken-

Sitting in Starbucks with my coffee, my books I never get to reading, my laptop,

and a stiff…

brown…

napkin for blowing my nose… because I am going to cry.

It’s what happens.

You meet me here…

You make me hear…

You make me tear… up.

Upward into You.

Further up and further in as St. Jack said. I seek you. I need you.

How have I slumbered for so long? Were you here the whole time, watching me sleep?

Did you make subtle noises to stir me in my slumber?

Clear your throat?

How long have you watched the rhythmic breathing in and out, in and out, chest up and down?

Alive but not awake. Movement, but no action.

But that doesn’t matter now, I am awake now. What shall we do?

Quick, get me out of this bed before I fall back asleep.

Because already excuses for why I deserve to sleep longer

…and why it would be better to tackle this after some more rest are creeping into my mind like a black inked letter from my wife.

But that will never do.

You have called me in this moment.

Either to action, or to dance with you. Perhaps you wanted to cuddle, and nobody wants to cuddle with someone who is asleep. It makes your arm fall asleep… And Your arms can’t do that.

And so you wait for me to get out of bed. You tell me of how great the day is going to be.

You open the blinds and let the light in, but my eyes are not yet ready so I ask you to close them.

You open the window to let the fresh air in and you turn to me to invite me into the day, into yourself.

And so you wait for me, as I slide back into slumber. You come next to me and hold me, hoping that I will see that my pillow and blanket are nothing compared to the comfort You bring.

I am asleep again.

You pull your arm from under my pillow, which was under my head. You let me sleep, again. Because you know I will be grumpy if you awaken me.

Could I not tarry? Do we all fall asleep on You in your hour of need? How often am I asleep in my hour of need? In Your hour of provision?

Stupid snooze button has made me late again.

Yet, at least I am awake to realize it…

You say “Good Morning”

and I use my napkin again.

-Poem by Teacher/Pastor Brad Curry