Wake up, Buttercup

Come on over here now, buttercup, pull up one of them there porch rockers and settle in ’cause we’re ’a‑wanderin’ through Scripture richer than a loaded blackberry thicket after a summer rain. Matthew 26:37–38 tells us tthat Jesus became anguished and said, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Now that is, Jesus Himself ’a‑askin’ His closest buddies to stay awake with Him. If that don’t tug your heart like a hound dog ’a‑pullin’ on a leash, I don’t know what will.

Jesus was fully God and fully human. He liked companionship like a barn cat likes a warm patch of sunshine. So, He brought Peter, James, and John into Gethsemane and told them to stay awake. But bless their sleepy lil’ hearts, they done nodded off faster than a cow in fresh clover.

And it wasn’t the first time. Luke 9:32 says that Peter and the others had fallen asleep during the Transfiguration, too. Moses and Elijah showed up in glory, and Peter was over there ’a‑snorin’ like a bear in winter. No wonder he blurted out some nonsense in Luke 9:33 when he woke up confused as a rooster who missed the sunrise.

Peter must’ve learnt that lesson the hard way, bless him. Later he wrote in 1 Peter 5:8 that we ought to be sober minded and watchful. He knew what happens when your eyelids win the battle.

Makes you wonder what those disciples might’ve witnessed if they’d stayed awake. And it makes me wonder what we’re ’a‑missin’ when we slip into spiritual snoozin’. How often do we go ’a‑driftin’ during a sermon or ignore a nudgin’ from the Holy Spirit? Psalm 119:37 says, “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” That there is a prayer worth prayin’ every day.

Just like them disciples, we can be ’a‑missin’ what God wants to do in us and through us if we ain’t ’a‑stayin’ awake. Good things happen to folks who keep their spiritual eyes open like a wise ol’ owl ’a‑lookin’ for what matters.

Father, keep my heart awake and my spirit alert. Turn my eyes from worthless things and help me be ’a‑payin’ attention to what You’re ’a‑doin’. Teach me to keep ’a‑stayin’ watchful, faithful, and ready for Your voice. In Jesus holy name, Amen.

Well, junebug, I reckon that’s enough soul stirrin’ for one sittin’. Now scoot on out there and keep your spirit wide awake like a jittery chipmunk ’a‑perchin’ on a stump ’a‑watchin’ for anything ’a‑movin’. You never know what blessin’s the Lord has lined up for a heart that’s refusin’ to be ’a‑snoozin’.

With joy,

Gwen