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Stay Awake

I have never been a night owl. I am not a lazy person, but I do enjoy my sleep. When evening comes, my body starts shutting down. New Year's Eve is the worst day on the calendar.

There are times when I have to force myself to stay awake. Sometimes it is a work requirement, or maybe a road trip, and yes, New Year's Eve. 

But in reality, I have to stay awake every day because that is what Jesus commanded us to do, just in a metaphorical sense. In Mark 13 Jesus spoke of His return to earth, and in verse 33 He said, "Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come."

We do not know when Jesus will come back, so we must stay awake. I don't want to be found sleeping when He comes. The goal should be to live every day as if He is coming back in the next hour, because there is a lot of work to be done. When we lull ourselves to sleep thinking we have plenty of time, we are not carrying out the Great Commission. But if we truly live as if His return is imminent, we will recognize the people around us who need to hear the gospel. 

Staying awake for me can be hard. I start to feel that drowsiness overtaking me, and my eyelids feel like they weigh a hundred pounds each. When I absolutely must stay awake, I can splash water on my face, or get up and walk around. I do what I have to do. 

Jesus told us to stay awake. You might feel like you are pulling an all-nighter, and sleep is all you crave. But we cannot give in to our pillow's invitation. Brew a pot of coffee, grab your favorite energy drink, and do what you have to do to stay awake. There is more at stake than watching the ball drop. We have a lost world that needs to hear about Jesus. 

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