Wide Awake!

Bono made a statement in a recent acceptance speech at the 38th Annual NAACP Image awards that has stuck with me. I encourage you to watch it. From the pulpit of the world, Bono proclaims that "This is true religion: true religion will not let us fall sleep in the comfort of our freedom. Love thy neighbor is not advice, it is a command".

True religion will not let us fall asleep…

I think of Simon Peter, wet and cold, around a fire with the risen Christ. Jesus asking of Peter the third time, "Do you love me?" and Peter replies, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." And Jesus says, "Feed my sheep."

O' how easy it is as the shepherd to fall asleep when we should be watching our sheep. True religion will keep us awake. The Spirit of God will feed the sheep through his people. I pray that on that day, when Christ comes again, that I will say, "I'm wide awake! Wide awake! I'm not sleeping. O' no. No."

THE REPENTANT SHEPHERD

Forgive us Lord. We have forgotten all the good that you have already done.

Our memories have failed us and our hearts have not quickened us to remembrances of your Son.

We do not see with clarity the daily blessings that flow from Your grace.

We have become bitter and resentful in a world that does not satisfy.

We have been led by our stomachs to a meal that will not satiate the appetite of our souls.

We have looked forward to some satisfaction yet to be, not realizing that it is in our past, on the cross, where you have met our greatest need.

We have hoped in what we see, forsaking the joy that is unseen.

Forgive us Lord and make your mercies new in us each day.
Amen.