Trying to get a sleeping teenager out of bed in the morning is similar to trying to wake a sleeping cave bear in the middle of his winter hibernation. One person knows how to do it though—
Mama!
If you’re a teenager there is a system. When mama’s first yell shakes the peaceful morning–“Get up kids! Time for school,”–you can stay put. A simple “uhh!” to let her know you live should suffice, and you’ve got a few more minutes. Those are the best minutes of all the night.
The second call is a bit dicey. “I told you kids to get up!” Now you can usually snuggle down into the warmth a little longer, but you need to be careful. If she happens to be in an extra bad mood that day all bets are off. As long as you sleep with one eye slitted slightly to see her if she’s coming, you’re okay.
The third call, though … on that one you can stay in bed if you’ve got a death wish. Good luck with that you’ll need it.
Jacob’s Wake-up Call
That’s why I smiled a bit when I read this the other day:
“During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called.
“Here I am,” Jacob replied.
“I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.” (Genesis 46, NLB)
Why did God call his name twice? He doesn’t stutter. I’m sure theologians would probably disagree with me, but I wonder if God wasn’t trying to wake him up. You know, like mama. And if that’s true, God skipped the first call and went right to the second.
Be careful Jacob. If you don’t wake up can the third call be far behind? Jacob knew the game, though, and he quickly said, “Here I am!”
Jacob wasn’t just physically asleep. He had been in mourning and possibly depressed for perhaps 20 years. Ever since messengers brought his son Joseph’s bloodstained coat to him, the old man hadn’t been the same.
He was a prophet but we don’t have any record of visions or anything from him during this period.
Then one day he found out Joseph was still alive and Jacob came back to life spiritually. Joseph is an image or a type of Jesus. As Joseph was sent to Egypt to preserve his family during an all-out famine, God sent his Son Jesus, to save and preserve us.
Jacob had broken out of his lethargy and he was going to Joseph when God spoke to him again. “Jacob, Jacob.” Jacob was already waking up.
How About You and Me?
Could I ask you a personal question? Is that snoring I hear coming from you? Are you snuggled up in the covers to protect you from difficulty, trials, memories, pain, etc.
Perhaps you’re too busy to be sensitive to God’s voice. And most of us, at times, are just lazy. That bed feels so good.
God’s calling your name. If it’s like his call to Jacob he’s skipped to number #2 and #3 is coming. Let me give you a little advice. Wake up. Mama is small potatoes compared to God!
It is amazing what a difference a touch from God in your life can make.
Ralph Hiatt, an 80-something year old missionary to Argentina says, “I was facing depression at the loss of my darling wife. I was old and retired. The future was foggy and sad. I sat alone in my soft ‘easy chair’ sulking.
“But without warning, suddenly God spoke to my heart. I do not think I heard an audible voice, yet every word was clear, “I am giving you a brand new chapter in your life!” I was jarred out of my negative thoughts. I actually argued with the Lord. I told Him I was 78 years old, retired, finished; At the end of it all replied with sterling clarity, “You have the energy of a 40 year old. Go back to Argentina!”
“God lifted that spirit of depression, just before it crushed me. And 900 tanks couldn’t stop me now. I had a word from the Lord!”
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