Rude Awakening

Sometimes, it takes a jarring wake-up call to reshape a person. Just as I experienced, so too will others face moments that break their pride.

A humbling, life-altering event may be the only way to make you bow in humility. There are times when God permits the enemy to strike, forcing you into submission.

Consider Jonah—his journey to Nineveh left him broken, but it was inside the belly of a great fish that he found transformation. He emerged a changed man. From the belly of the fish he made it to Nineveh in a day and did what God purposed. 

Samson, on the other hand, disregarded every warning about Delilah. He turned a deaf ear to his parents, to wisdom itself. But when his strength was drained, his sight stripped away, and his arrogance crushed, he finally came to his senses. Desperate, he cried out to God for one last chance.

Noah and Methuselah preached the word of God for over 120 years, yet people refused to change. They indulged in their wickedness despite repeated warnings. It was only when the heavens broke open with rain, and the ark was sealed, that they remembered Noah’s words. They begged for mercy—but it was too late.

Have you ever looked back and wished you had listened? Some of us find our lives in turmoil because we ignored correction when it was offered. And when I share and counsel others and see them outright defy God’s commands I’m left wondering where the fear of God disappeared.

Reflect on the past and consider why a friendship ended, a job was lost, a marriage fell apart, or you're now facing some health challenge. If you had been more open to listening, making changes, and putting in effort, you might have avoided this outcome.

Reflect again on the present and ask yourself if you are heading to the right direction.

Just as in the days of Noah, so will it be when the Son of God returns. Life will carry on as normal, unaware of the coming judgment. Yet, right now, we are living in a time of mercy.

Warnings are being given. Wisdom is being preached daily. But the time will come when God will no longer listen.

As Psalm 14:1-3 warns:

1. “The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

2. The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

3. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”

Many claim to follow God and call themselves Christians, yet their actions betray them; hypocrites. They continue to sin without any effort to change. But true faith requires obedience to God’s commands. We cannot simply hear His Word; we must live by it.

Take heed. Let’s embrace correction. Repentance. Let go of your pride, and humble yourself before the Lord. Make the effort to transform your life, and God will provide the strength to overcome. Rely on Him, and He will deliver you.

As Acts 2:37-40 says:

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

I have a tendency to worry so much about others that I sometimes forget to take care of myself. I’m realizing that sometimes you can’t save the entire boat without risking your own well-being. I have a lot to work on within myself, so I’ll focus more on my own growth, as we will each stand before the Lord individually.

Philippians 2:12 warns:

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 🙏