4 Ways to Live A Wide-Awake Life
You know that groggy, fuzzy feeling you get when you first wake up? So often when I was having quiet time at five a.m. I would apologize to God ( thinking, this might not go well) before I read the first verse. Lord, If I am to retain any of this today, it will be because of You. My mind may not wake up for a bit. I needed the Holy Spirit to help me put my mind in gear.
So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16, MSG
Peter understood this in a different way. He lived the rough, hostile world of a fisherman. Peter could have probably been aboard those crews featured on Discovery channel’s “Deadliest Catch”. He lived a gruff and dangerous life. We know he had a vulgar mouth (remember that little fire side encounter after Jesus’s arrest) and a temper. He was quick to speak and most often it was apparent his mind was not in gear. He understood about the “old grooves of evil”. When he let God really get a hold of him and the Holy Spirit fell on Peter, he also understood about living “a life energetic and blazing” for God. 
The man who God used so mighty is still being used by God today to help us live a wide-awake life…
Roll up our sleeves – Peter was accustomed to hard work and he realized that living out the Christian life would be tough, a fight. – “These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. ” (verse 7) When I think of rolling up my sleeves, the action of preparation comes to mind. How? Prayer, Bible study, being apart of a group of godly people that will challenge us are all good prep.
Put our minds in gear – Joyce Meyer says “the battlefield is in our minds”. I know from personal experience my thoughts can trip me up before the devil even has a chance. The Apostle Paul gives us good advice “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2, NLT
Oh friends, we must guard our minds and never completely trust our thoughts unless they have been lined up with the word of God.
Be ready, not lazy – To run our race, we have to be deliberate. To live victoriously, we can’t just hope it happens. We have an enemy and his mind’s not fuzzy in the morning. He’s been up all night making plans to derail our walk. We must get up, suit up (the whole armor of God) and be prayed up. We’ve got a fight on our hands.
Live a God shaped lifestyle – “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” Galatians 5:22-23, MSG
God has set the alarm clock and I hear it ringing. Do you? There are no coincidences in a believer’s life. He is calling us to be alert, be prepared and be awake. Then, He can empower us to live the victorious, abundant life He planned all along.
Linking with…
Susan Mead, #DanceWithJesus Friday, Barbie Swihart, The Weekend Brew and Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday
This is great Bible study, Carmen. I love how you dig into the word in so many of your posts. I’m groggy in the morning too, a slow starter, but God gets me going. I love your graphic here and your steps, I want to roll up my sleeves and get my m ind in gear. Sounds like just what I need for a new week! (Sharing this later today!)
Thank you friend for studying with me. You are such an encourager. Thanks also for sharing. Blessings to you!
Great reminders that I need to carry with throughout the week as I get up at 5:00 am and feel my brain is fuzzy and not focused many days. I love the image of Peter and the lessons he still teaches us to follow in how he approached life. Blessed you shared this at The Weekend Brew.
Hey Mary, you just gotta love Peter. He was so passionate about everything. Blessed to be apart of the work you and Barbie are doing over there friend.
Carmen, you must have been in our office this morning as we were striving to read the Bible and pray. So many mornings I face the groggy syndrome too. And we have found that if we put it off until we are awake and ready that the day slips away and we don’t take the time to pray. And then we have missed a wonderful opportunity to connect with God. It’s comforting to know that the Bible heroes face the same things we do and I’m going to take dear Peter’s advice and stand strong – and awake.
Rebecca I can just see ya’ll struggling. Whew, I can be a sleepy head. Yes, that first thing in the morning connection sure does make a difference. Thanks for visiting!
“Live a God-shaped lifestyle”, I love that. What a great quote and lovely post. You always make me think and dig deeper!
Aww Melanie, I’m glad we can learn together!
This 5:00 am quiet time sister can relate to every word you wrote, Carmen! “To run our race, we have to be deliberate. To be victorious, we can’t just hope it happens.” I need to wear those words around my neck for a while. Thank you for your beautiful words.
That is so early to get your mind in gear isn’t it Janet? Goodness, my eyes are crossed! Thanks for the visit!
I really love this post. Thank you for the reminder to be alert. “Realized that living out the Christian life would be tough, a fight.” AMEN thank you Jesus that you anointed us for tough. So glad we have the spirit to do the work for us. We just have to walk in it.
Aly, Peter knew tough too didn’t he? Whew, when the Holy Spirit hit him, he was just a blaze. We need that same Spirit every day. Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for the share.
That sums up the fight pretty well, doesn’t it? I’m not sure I have heard that translation before: “roll up your sleeves, and put your mind in gear”… but I like it. :) Put forth the effort — and be sure you are leaning on God in the process, for the real change comes from Him!
Absolutely Shelia! I really like the plain talking of The Message sometimes. I’m glad you enjoyed it too.
You grabbed me with the first paragraph – I thought you were describing me! It’s time to wake up and live the life God has called us to live. And, you’re right, it will be hard work at times. We will have to roll up our sleeves and persevere in the power of God’s Holy Spirit! Thanks Carmen for the “wake-up call”
Glad you visited Ellen. So you are a sleepy head too :)