So act, because you understand what the time is: the hour has already come for us to awaken from sleep, because now salvation is closer to us than when we believed. The night is far gone, and the day is near. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Letter to the Romans, ch. 13, vv. 11-12*, the bold font is ours)
On November 1, we celebrated the Day of the National Awakeners – revolutionaries, booksellers, educators, fighters for freedom and national consciousness. Besides love for the people, there is one more thing that connects all these personalities, whom history calls awakeners. Each of them worked and "shone" in very dark times. We also call them educators or people who bring light. That's why their names are remembered – these people were keys to locked doors, torches amidst pitch darkness, guards on duty during danger. They were conscious, motivated, inspired, dedicated, and ready to sacrifice themselves in the name of the success of their cause.
Somehow, with time, we have heroized these personalities, and they have become living legends, something very different from us, ordinary people. But is it so? What is expected of us, believers in Jesus Christ, in dark and difficult times?
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise, when one lights a lamp, they do not put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Let your light so shine before people that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Gospel of Matthew, ch. 5, vv. 14-16*, the bold font is ours)
In both the initial passage from the Letter to the Romans and the Gospel of Matthew, we see that being awakeners, being light is not passive, it is connected with deeds. We might say that we are also people, that it is difficult for us to keep our hearts, our peace, our hope, even our finances, in the time we live in. Sometimes it may even seem unfair how high the expectations God has from us are, given the circumstances. Why should we be strong instead of others, we should suffer so that others can be well – these are all logical, but human questions. Our human flesh does not understand why it must sacrifice, "shine" in the dark, where it can easily be spotted by ill-wishers, why it cannot "hide" when it is scary, but must endure, sacrifice, keep going.
Here is the answer: you, we, all God's children are called to be like the Lord Jesus Christ. We may retort that He was 100% God, although he was also 100% man, but let us not forget this – the Lord never demands something from us or calls us for a mission for which He has not prepared us beforehand. He is not cruel, unjust, or with unrealistic expectations. When He calls us to shine with our deeds, He also makes us capable of bright deeds and feats. "His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and virtue. By these He has given us precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may escape the world's destructive desires and become partakers of the divine nature." (Second Letter of Ap. Peter, ch. 1, vv. 3-4*)
When He places us on the hill, He gives us strength to withstand the wind on high. When He tells you to wake up and walk boldly forward, He will give you the strength, the direction, and the vigilance not just to survive in hard times, but to leave a bright trail with your deeds. God has chosen you to be not just awake, which is a state, but an awakener – this is a way of life.
Challenge of the week: Who in your life can you call an awakener? Do you have his/her contact, and can you dedicate some time this week to write to that person, thank them, and share how they helped you in difficult times. Awakeners also need encouragement!
*Biblical quotes are according to the text of Bible, New Translation from the Original Languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
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