Awake or asleep.
Are you awake or asleep?
Have you become numb to His presence? 
Distracted by the tasks of the day;
The noise of the crowd.

Awake, My love!
Awaken to My presence.
Full. Full are your days and full is My presence.
In My presence is fullness!
Fullness of joy. Fullness of peace.

Awaken to My presence.
Don't allow the distractions to steal your focus.
Don't allow them to lull you to sleep.
Awaken. Arise. Pursue.
Pursue ME. More than Enough.
Pursue My presence. My peace. My joy.

Allow Me to fill you afresh and anew.
Awaken to My presence.
Awake, O sleeper.
Arise, My love.

Those words were penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit one morning during my quiet time. It was a reminder that we have to choose to awaken to the presence of God; we must choose to pursue Him and allow Him to reveal Himself to us. It also reminded me of the song titled Morning Song by Steffany Gretzinger, and a portion of Song of Solomon chapter 8.

It's the dawn of a new day, You've painted for me.
Colors exploding; telling our story.
And I'm waking up.
Lyrics from Morning Song by Steffany Gretzinger.

The word awaken, in the Cambridge Dictionary, means to stop sleeping or to make someone stop sleeping. When used figuratively, the word awaken can refer to making something or someone more active. In pursuing God, our interest in Him and our awakening to His presence becomes more active. Pursuit of God causes a desire for more of His presence.

Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you... 
Set me as a seal upon your heart... 
many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it... 
Song of Solomon 8:5-7 (ESV)

In verse 5 of Song of Solomon chapter 8, the word awaken is Strong’s Hebrew 5782 and means to rouse oneself awake. While verse 7 describes the irresistable nature of God’s love towards us. To awaken to God’s presence is to awaken to His love for us.

It’s interesting to note that the awakening in Song of Solomon 8 is similar to the awakening of Lazarus in John 11. In John 11:11, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to awaken Lazarus from sleep.

After saying these things, he said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.' John 11:11 (ESV)

If you’ve read this passage of scripture then you know that Lazarus was dead and not sleeping. But what’s interesting is that the word awaken used in John 11:11 is Strong’s Greek 1852 and means to awaken or to rouse from sleep. While this is the only instance of this Greek word being used in the entire Bible, and there is no Hebrew equivalent to this Greek word, it is a similar concept to the word awaken in Song of Solomon 8. Both uses of the word awaken imply a physical and a spiritual awakening.

The absence of God’s presence causes spiritual death and sleep – being lulled to sleep and becoming numb to His presence. BUT when Jesus comes on the scene, His presence brings life! His presence awakens us!

As we read through John 11, we learn that Jesus goes to the village where Lazarus has been laid to rest and, after an encouter with Mary and Martha, he is taken to the place where Lazarus’ body was buried.

When they arrive at the tomb, Jesus tells them to roll the stone away (the entrances to tombs, in that day, were sealed with large stones). Martha questions Jesus’ request as four days have passed and Lazarus’ body has begun to decompose. But, in John 11:40, Jesus looks at her and says, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?“

When the stone is rolled away, Jesus prays to His Father in Heaven and with a loud, authoritative voice he declares, “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43) Upon hearing the voice of Jesus, Lazarus comes alive and walks out of the tomb, wrapped in his grave clothes, and Jesus declares, “take off the grave clothes and let him go!” (John 11:44)

What an incredible story of faith, hope, and restoration. But this story is so much more; I believe this is a call to all believers to take off your grave clothes! God is calling His sons and daughters, and people all over the world, to awaken to His presence and His love.

You’re the One that my heart is beating for… Lyrics from Morning Song by Steffany Gretzinger

Pray: Father God, take me to the place where surrender no longer feels like sacrifice but instead feels like love.

Reflective Questions:

1. How do distractions lull you to sleep?
2. How do distractions cause you to become numb to the presence of God?
3. What does it mean to awaken to God’s presence?
4. What would it “look like” for you to pursue God’s presence?