Wake Up Call

Before cell phones people used an item called an alarm clock. When traveling, instead of an alarm clock, they often relied on a wake up call from the front desk of the hotel they were staying in. The wake up call served an important purpose. It made sure the traveler continued his journey in a timely manner. Without it precious time would be lost as they slept, their destination still far away.


My wake up call was of a different sort. I haven't been asleep, I have been busy. Too busy in fact. Too busy to slow down and spend time in devotion to Him. Too busy for prayer. Too busy to write. My wake up call was a call to stop and re-evaluate my priorities. 

Last week one of my dearest friends had a cancer scare. The breast cancer they thought was gone was possibly now in her lungs. As I prayed for her I began to question the usefulness of my prayers. Though my faith reassured me that God was listening, I began to consider the question...why should He? I have not been seeking Him lately, I have been too busy to take the time. Why then should He take up His time to listen to me? 

Today I began a new daily devotional called "Jesus Calling." The devotional was recommended by the same friend I had been praying for. The words had spoken to her, and He had carried her, during those scary few days before it was discovered that the cancer was not back as they had feared. The passage I read today opened my eyes even more to the importance of making the time to focus on God. Based on John 4:23-24 and Psalm 100:4, were the following words.



Your praise and thanksgiving are distinctly audible in heaven. Your petitions are also heard, but it is your gratitude that clears the way to My Heart. With the way between us wide open, My blessings fall upon you in rich abundance.


Young, Sarah (2004-10-12). Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (p. 196). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 



My resolve is to keep that path clear. To take time out of my busy life and devote time to things of worth and meaning. And to Him.


~Marla